Date of Award

5-2016

Document Type

Honors Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science

Department

Accounting

Advisor/Committee Chair

Raymond K. Van Ness

Abstract

The retail environment has been changing in recent years and this has had profound impacts on American shopping malls. This paper will examine the dying mall phenomenon and compare and contrast the differing opinions of major news outlets. This study will identify and analyze the driving forces of change including the recent shift in demographics, the rise of the bargain hunter, the power of millennials and the desire for experiences amongst consumers. It was discovered that A rated malls are thriving whilst C and D rated malls are in danger of dying out. The more successful malls are those that offer consumers experiences in addition to shopping and have turned themselves into destinations. The least successful are those that have failed to modernize and adapt to the changing retail environment.

Included in

Accounting Commons

Share

COinS