Big box stores prove people still shop at brick and mortar.
And malls filled with activity / entertainment venues like movies, indoor golf, etc do well - as long as they prevent packs of roving teens from taking over.
Malls that become baby-sitting for unruly teens drive away families and adult shoppers and die. For example, Mall of America may see things crash if the public thinks they didn’t do enough to prevent people from being harassed during Christmas shopping by Black Lives Matter protests.
That’s the fault of the malls for failing to provide security when more worried about public perception driven by “oh the poor babies are kicked out” whining.
You are right! The last time I took my Mom, who was in a wheelchair, to the mall, it was like being surrounded by hungry hyenas and young lions. Gangs of surly, glaring, unfriendly punks were everywhere, just standing around or leaning against the walls staring at us as we went by. I fully expected us to get mugged, beaten and left for dead any minute. We couldn’t wait to get out of there. We have never gone back.
Online shopping is partly a response to a world that seems to be going Mad Max. The once relatively safe public square has been surrendered to them. Our government, schools and culture has helped birth this pathetic mess. I miss my old USA.
I do not go to stores where they are understaffed in general, where the customers are too lazy to put up their carts and leave them blocking parking spaces or turn them loose and watch them strike the new car you just paid 30 grand for. I don’t waste money and time driving all over town when I can buy the same product cheaper online and most times save the sales tax my stupid state imposes on purchases here. I don’t put up with bad service where the kid checking you out has the attitude that he or she is doing you a favor by taking your money.
Now that the CEO of Sam’s Club has revealed her anti-white feelings its off to Costco’s I go. Diversity this bitzh. Money is democratic, but I am not.