My closest mall still has its Sears and JC Penney but we'll see for how long. Macy's is its most successful anchor store. The complex has already lost Toys R' Us. There's a successful local grocery chain and a Home Depot that are always busy in the same shopping center; the mall itself has stores but very little traffic.
It almost looks like a flea market inside. Tattoo shops, stands that sell gold by the inch and cheap phone cases, bootleg t-shirt vendors, nail salons, there’s even what’s basically a convienence store.
Cheap rents sound good, but they bring in low-end retailers that don’t stick around and sell gray market product.