2008.12.29
Uninspired by malls?
Do you like shopping at a mall? By now, you're likely tired of any kind of shopping, on the heels of this busy holiday season.
Check out this report that discusses consumers' dissastisfaction with shopping malls because they believe that these centers all look the same. The report is based on a survey by the Jay H. Baker Retailing Initiative at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and the Verde Group, a research group.
According to the report, shoppers believe that enclosed and outdoor malls are boring because they all contain the same chain stores and restaurants. Consumers also complained that some shopping malls do not have enough restaurant variety.
The report refers to malls as once "modern wonders," with attractive features, such as children's rides, water fountains and food courts.
What do you think? Do you enjoy mall shopping or are you uninspired by a mall's sameness, highlighted in this report?
I'm generally uninspired and don't spend much time or money in the enclosed malls. My beef is the sameness with the same blend of national chains in just about every mall. My main reason for going has been the more unique shops, local/regional retailers, or that there is something I need/want that I know I can only get there. Most of my shopping is done at the big boxes though, simply because the variety and prices meet my needs. Food courts are another thing though. I appreciate that the NRV mall has put one back in, but I still don't bother because the variety isn't very appetizing. I remember the malls in and around my hometown of Virginia Beach and the ones here just pale in comparison, so it's hard to get exicted about shopping in them anyway.
Comment by Other John — December 29, 2008 @ 9:35 am
A question for you. The racks and shelves at Christopher & Banks, Valley View Mall looked pretty bare over the weekend. Are they closing? Have you heard anything?
Comment by Pat — December 29, 2008 @ 9:58 am
...and this would be why? because our beautiful downtowns from Blacksburg and Christiansburg to Radford, Pearisburg, and parts of Roanoke and Lynchburg are magnificent ghosts of a different period in history. The good thing is that in many towns and cities of similar size there has been a return to the downtown in addition to supporting suburban shopping centers. The commitment has to come from the community to make it real. If you like the 'idea' of a farmers market or gallery and museum district then you have to be willing to take the wonderful quality time and go to them-use them-support the vendors and the area business owners. The 'Wal Mart' issue exists because regardless of what people 'say'...they're still shopping there. Our downtowns are the heart of where we live - even if they are empty. But to fill them with the vibrancy of a thriving urban style of life is the coolest thing we can do.
Comment by lovenrv — December 29, 2008 @ 7:45 pm
Completely uninspired by the malls here in Roanoke. If I want anything different that isn't on all the other womens backs I purchase online. No Apple store, no Chicos, no Kohl's, no Coldwater Creek. The department stores that are here carry all the same brands from store to store and the items I would purchase are never on sale... always the same price point in every store.. whatever happened to a real 'sale' on merchandise anyway. Just the same things at 25% off week after week until Christmas hits and they all panic because nobody is buying their junk. I'm pretty much fed up with the malls, the stores offered and the crummy terrible tasting junk food.
Comment by Di — December 29, 2008 @ 9:36 pm
I was in Richmond recently and did considerable shopping in Macys's, J.C. Penney, and Belk's, which also have stores located in Roanoke. The difference is that in Richmond there are plenty of store associates eager to assist and please. They literally run up to you to assist and appear to be so happy to be there in their positions. In Roanoke, a customer has to walk and walk and walk to even locate a sales associate and when they do find one, often the sales associate is lackadaisical. I'm sure there are exceptions, but I really do not understand this. Friends of mind who shopped the same stores in NC described the same experience that I just described. What is up with these Roanoke's stores? Is it the management, the lack of funds to employ, the lack of training, or what?
Comment by Susan — December 29, 2008 @ 11:35 pm
Susan, I'd sure like to know where you found a Belks in Richmond. Dillards replaced them years ago. Closest one is in C-ville.
Comment by George — December 30, 2008 @ 7:35 am
Unless I cannot avoid it, I shop elsewhere. I can't stomach the mall traffic as well as the mall attitude. I will not shop there with my three-year-old. I make only one yearly foray with him through the doors of Valley View: to see Santa and get a picture. That's it.
There are so many other shops in Roanoke with better quality items and helpful salespeople.
Comment by Amy — December 30, 2008 @ 10:10 am
I really only go the mall several times a year. I bet I could count the number on one hand. I do enjoy the Christmas decorations and such. But since I dont work near there any more I really don't have a reason to go like I used to (primarily during luch). Stores like Kirklands and Lechters (that are no longer there anymore) were really good places to find Christmas presents. I mostly buy other things from stores that have other locations away from the mall to avoid the traffic. I agree with Di about the food. There is really not a selection and food that you do find is not that great unless you do to a sit down restaurant.
Comment by Eric — December 30, 2008 @ 12:20 pm
I remember a time when the malls in the area were appealing places to spend your time...they were not just a place to run in and grab something, before leaving as quickly as possible. When River Ridge first opened in Lynchburg, it had a wonderful plant covered waterfall in the center of the mall, one of those little "village" shopping areas filled with small boutiques (Tanglewood had one, as well), and unique stores that were not found anywhere else.
Now, River Ridge is just another boring, unimaginative establishment. Long ago, they removed any features of interest; and it appears the management has done very little to attract appealing retailers in at least a decade. The most exciting thing to happen in this mall was the introduction of the Proactive vending machine. You know how boring a place is, if this is what everyone is talking about!
Unfortunately, this is not the worst of it. Many of the stores at River Ridge are in an abysmal state. Unlike the Roanoke store, the Lynchburg Macy's has not received a renovation since the mall was built in the early 80's. Instead, they installed shoddy looking false walls to block off a third of the upper level, which goes unused. I'm almost afraid to use the ladies', because it looks (and often smells) like a gas station bathroom. Macy's is an outright embarrassment.
It's no wonder people are not shopping at traditional malls as much as they used to, if the management of these malls are allowing them to fall into such disrepair. Granted, this is Lynchburg. Valley View is much nicer...and let's not even compare either of those malls to the ones in Richmond, where bathrooms include marble counter tops and the stalls are made of cabinet-quality wood panels. Sure, that's a bit over the top; but it does make the Richmond malls as appealing as River Ridge and Valley View used to be. It is all about the experience, which you simply do not get in our retail areas.
Comment by Lisa — December 31, 2008 @ 12:07 am
I am uninspired by Tanglewood Mall. The Mall makes no sense inside. There is no Food Court other than a chicken place that closes on Sunday. The parking lot is dysfunctional. I think it could be nicer if a developer built some housing around the Mall to give it more life. Valley View is more dynamic and it seems always busy. Parking is easy and restaurants, hotels and other stores around it give it energy. My only complaint is the Valley View interchange doesn't work completely and we need a Kohls and Costco to compliment that area. New River Valley Mall has improved recently. Check out the new First & Main s/c at Blacksburg. Has anyone noticed we have a dynamic downtown Roanoke? Art Galleries, ethnic restaurants, museums, theatres, etc. For anyone who says Roanoke's downtown is a ghost town has not visited. Get out and enjoy!
Comment by Joe — December 31, 2008 @ 9:31 am