I think that the retailers recognize that it's going to be a pretty good season. |
Now (older, indoor malls) compete with power centers, strip centers, lifestyle centers, big boxes, Internet shopping, catalog shopping, home shopping. |
Retailers (now) want to be very visible from the roads they don't want (their customers) to have to traverse the mall to get there. |
The season followed some patterns that are typical. We're seeing the week after Christmas playing a much larger role in the overall holiday shopping season. |
There's no doubt that malls find themselves with increasing competition. They definitely have to distinguish and diversify themselves to keep consumers coming back — because they have a multitude of choices. |
They have to be very chameleon-like and have to adapt to their environment. |
They're finding themselves in competition on all fronts. |
What are the retailers going to do? If they keep their inventory counts low, they will be able to ride out the season. It's going to be one of flat-to-moderate increase. But it's not going to be a disaster. |
What they really hope is that the weather cooperates, that the consumer gets out early and shops, and they [retailers] don't have to wait ... and mark down some of their goods to move sales. |
You can have all the intentions in the world, but do you actually follow through? |