Department stores like Macy's rely on an old shopping model. Can they change?

Feb 27, 2024
In the age of globalism and online shopping, the department store’s strength — as a place for everything — has became its weakness.
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"People are feeling the pinch," Montana mall manager says

We check in with Alana Ferko, manager of the Butte Plaza Mall, who tells us about vacancy rates and a few special guests.
"People are very good at patronizing, and I appreciate that. But it's not enough," says Alana Ferko of the Butte Plaza Mall's vacancies. "I mean, they're gonna put out the energy to come to the mall, we want it to be worth it." Above, a mall in Florida.
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Inside J.C. Penney's $1 billion plan to boost business

J.C. Penney CEO Marc Rosen tells Marketplace more about how the company will invest $1 billion in revitalizing business.
J.C. Penney's new business investment will go toward remodeling stores and improving online shopping and supply chain technology, among other things.
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Are American malls back from the brink?

Aug 22, 2023
While the "malls are dying" narrative has has been prevalent for a while, foot traffic is up at shopping centers serving more affluent consumers.
Malls in more affluent, suburban settings are thriving, thanks in part to an influx of luxury brands.
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In Butte, Montana, holiday shoppers "spent a lot, smiled a lot"

Jan 11, 2023
Mall manager Alana Ferko is coming off a strong holiday shopping season coupled with new business from a Hollywood production.
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How teen mall hot spot Claire’s went from bankruptcy to IPO filing

Aug 5, 2022
The chain has benefited from '90s fashion trends, a good supply chain and looking outside of malls, says Elizabeth Segran of Fast Company.
Claire's has a team of "trend spotters" who travel the world looking for the next popular thing, says Elizabeth Segran of Fast Company. 
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For public good, not for profit.

Rumors of the death of the American mall may have been greatly exaggerated

Jun 27, 2022
In a new book, design critic Alexandra Lange describes how design played a major role in the shopping mall’s successes and failures.
Older malls that are dead or dying may offer communities and cities the chance to rethink the use of public space.
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Things are "awesome and amazing" at this Montana mall

Jun 16, 2022
Alana Ferko explains what's new at the Butte Plaza Mall.
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Mall-to-medicine transitions make health care more convenient for suburban patients

Apr 13, 2022
With abundant parking and layouts that are easy to navigate, one-time shopping malls are attractive to some medical facilities looking to expand.
More than a decade ago, Vanderbilt University Medical Center moved 22 specialty clinics to a former mall, now taking up 440,000 square feet of One Hundred Oaks in Nashville.
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