Consumers have been out and about in 2023 and looking for ways to visit top retail locations while creating social experiences out of shopping. With this recent consumer trend and the pandemic-fueled popularity of remote work, which has allowed more individuals to relocate to the suburbs and enjoy increased leisure time, shopping malls are going through a major revival.
In the years leading up to the pandemic, shopping malls were losing popularity, and many of them shut down before, during, and after the pandemic. As a result, many believe that shopping malls will go extinct in the next few years. However, due to recent foot traffic data suggesting that consumers are regaining an interest in shopping malls, we’re seeing a surge of dynamic growth initiatives by mall owners to further boost foot traffic to shopping mall locations. So, as the retail landscape and consumer interest evolves, we analyzed foot traffic to the nation’s top 10 shopping malls to learn more about current consumer foot traffic trends.
10. Winter Garden Village - Winter Garden, FL
Starting off our list of top 10 shopping malls in the country, it’s Winter Garden Village in Winter Garden, Florida. This bustling, outdoor shopping mall integrates shopping with dining and special events in a trendy, inviting environment. Winter Garden Village blends consumer interest in shopping and dining with entertainment, making this location the perfect future-proof mall that may stand the test of time as the retail landscape continues to evolve.
9. Roosevelt Field – Garden City, NY
By offering premier shopping and dining experiences in a top tourist destination, Roosevelt Field is in ninth place, and for good reason. Conveniently located near some of New York’s most famous landmarks, Roosevelt Field has made its mark as a top shopping and dining destination for travelers and locals alike. It’s no wonder that this shopping mall boasts some of the most consumer foot traffic in the nation.
8. Westgate Marketplace – Oklahoma City, OK
By offering premier shopping and dining experiences in a top tourist destination, Roosevelt Field is in ninth place, and for good reason. Conveniently located near some of New York’s most famous landmarks, Roosevelt Field has made its mark as a top shopping and dining destination for travelers and locals alike. It’s no wonder that this shopping mall boasts some of the most consumer foot traffic in the nation.
7. Ontario Mills – Ontario, CA
Taking the seventh spot in our list, Ontario Mills brings shopping to the next level by attracting crowds of California residents and travelers alike. Serving as California’s largest outlet and value retail shopping destination, Ontario Mills is an attraction of its own. Plus, this shopping mall likely attracts high levels of foot traffic due to its location: near the Ontario International Airport, near key freeway intersections, and less than an hour from downtown Los Angeles.
6. Ala Moana Center – Honolulu, HI
This large, open-air shopping mall is one of the top 10 shopping malls in the U.S. due to its wide variety of shopping, dining, and entertainment options. Consumer habits are shifting post-pandemic and as consumers are back to in-person shopping, they’re expecting more from their shopping experiences. Malls like Ala Moana Center cater to those evolving consumer expectations with numerous options for customer experiences. With its unique brand identity, its own magazine publication, special events, and large online following, Ala Moana Center not only impresses with its foot traffic levels, but has created a vibrant community of loyal shoppers that will likely continue to expand.
5. Alliance Town Center – Fort Worth, TX
Leading into the top 5 shopping malls in the U.S., Alliance Town Center is less of a shopping mall, and more of a buzzing consumer hub. Alliance Town Center’s concept blends top retail destinations with tasty dining options, accommodations, and work locations all in one place. Developing as an all-in-one area appealing to multiple consumer needs and interests, Alliance Town Center sees hundreds of thousands of visitors monthly. As consumers continue prioritizing social outings and discretionary spending, places like Alliance Town Center may take precedence due to the convenient, bustling communities surrounding retail destinations that appeal to consumers—much like the plans for Westfield Garden State Plaza in New Jersey.
4. Fashion Show Las Vegas – Las Vegas, NV
As the largest shopping, dining, and entertainment destination in Las Vegas, the Fashion Show mall boasts a property of 2 million square feet and hundreds of thousands of visitors each month. It’s no wonder the Fashion Show is one of the nation’s top 10 shopping malls as it brings its lively aura to the Las Vegas Strip, functioning as a vibrant cultural experience. The Fashion Show brings fashion to life by introducing unique dining options, art, music, and seasonal entertainment to the customer experience.
3. Miracle Mile Shops – Las Vegas, NV
Taking the third spot in our list of the nation’s top shopping malls by foot traffic, the Miracle Mile Shops at Las Vegas’ Planet Hollywood Hotel and Casino brings a lively boldness to Planet Hollywood. These shops span 1.2 miles, making for a unique way to shop, dine, drink, and experience live entertainment in a dazzling, indoor setting. Famous for its iconic sky ceiling and interior design, the Miracle Miles Shops make for a memorable shopping experience that draws in large crowds of consumers monthly.
2. St. John’s Town Center – Jacksonville, FL
Known as the “heart of shopping and dining in Jacksonville,” St. John’s Town Center is a hotspot for fashion-forward shops. Blending trendy options with luxury retailers, consumers in Jacksonville are sure to find whatever it is they’re shopping for at this mall, likely attracting visitors of all types. This mall not only offers a beautiful outdoor setting and luxurious ambiance, but it is conveniently situated between several communities, giving St. John’s the opportunity to serve various markets. It’s also a short ways away from downtown and from Jacksonville’s beaches, making for the perfect tourist destination.
1. The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace – Las Vegas, NV
At the core of the Las Vegas Strip, The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace Hotel and Casino attracts visitors with its unique customer experience. This mall’s design aligns with the Palace’s opulent, ancient Roman theme. Its collection of trendy, accessible retailers and high-end, luxury brands entices a wide variety of tourists and locals. This indoor mall also includes sit-down dining options to create a well-rounded experience at one of the most unique shopping environments in the world. Taking the top spot in our list of top 10 shopping malls in the U.S., The Forum Shops offers a one-of-a-kind atmosphere to bring entertaining, fashion-forward experiences to the forefront of Las Vegas.
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