With the advancement of technology, malls have had to adapt to more challenging circumstances with more competition online. Many individuals often lean towards the convenience of online shopping because it is quicker, easier, and you can do it from the comfort of your own home. Companies such as Amazon have made online shopping much more appealing by maximizing their variety and fast shipping with products.
With all of these benefits for shopping online, people begin to question themselves: why should I go to the mall? However, although malls may be more inconvenient at times, they offer an experience that online shopping does not. Local malls such as Brea Mall and Irvine Spectrum have been gaining popularity recently due to their rapid innovations such as new activities, stores, and much more.
A major factor in the resurgence of malls is simply people craving more social interactions. Malls have always been a place for socializing and gathering with others. Not too long ago, Irvine Spectrum began to establish a community beyond just clothing stores by building a movie theater, an escape room, and several restaurants. Tina Chen (12) claims that “the escape room was a great experience that allowed me to bond with my friends, so I really enjoyed it.”
A more diverse number of activities increases the likelihood that individuals will find the experience more enjoyable overall. Additionally, this opens malls up to a greater variety of people, such as small children and teens rather than targeting solely adults like before.
Another reason why individuals are gearing towards malls is because several new trending stores are constantly being added. A few new stores at Brea Mall include Zara, Garage, and Uniqlo. Similarly, Irvine Spectrum has recently added stores such as Edikted and Princess Polly. All of these brands are extremely popular among teens and young adults as of now, which greatly increases the likelihood of people visiting their local malls. Hasika Potluri (12) emphasizes, “These are some of my favorite stores, and I’m really excited I can now visit them in-person.”
Although malls aren’t the same as they used to be, they are purely adapting to the continuous advancements in technology. Malls could never truly disappear because no matter how simple it is to just order necessities through technology, people will always want to socialize and bond with each other. Malls clearly offer more than products that consumers can purchase; they offer a sense of community and belonging.
