The impact of shifting consumer habits, millennials in themarketplace, and the overwhelming changes brought to bear ontraditional retail by e-commerce has impelled the re-imagining ofbrick-and-mortar retail environments. Restaurants, hotels,entertainment venues and wellness-based stores have replacedtraditional and soft goods as key tenants in malls. Therefore,innovative use of retail space and new ways to attract foot trafficare more important in bolstering fledgling centers and minimizingvacancies.

Mall owners are now looking to bring in non-traditional tenantsthat celebrate and leverage the use of communal spaces. They arelooking to the business, education and healthcare industries- withshared office space, satellite campuses and outpatient facilitiesleading the way. Property owners are also experimenting with moreflexible, interim uses of space. Creative pop-ups, micro-boutiques,art studio space and seasonal event promotions are now popular andextend the visibility and desirability of otherwise under-utilizedmall space.