Indoor Malls Outperform Open-Air Shopping Centers Despite Drop In June Visitors

Generation Z`s rediscovery of the mall as a hip new place to shop, socialize and be seen has helped drive a continued increase in foot traffic to enclosed shopping centers.

Visits to indoor malls grew nearly 2% during the first half of 2025 compared to the same period last year despite a drop in shopping traffic during June, according to data from foot traffic analytics firm Placer.ai. Open-air shopping center visits grew less than 1% year-over-year, while traffic at outlet malls decreased slightly. 

Traffic dropped at all retail formats in June after consumers stocked up on items in April and May ahead of expected price increases due to tariffs. But Placer.ai, which uses cell phone data to compile its numbers, suggested that drop represented "natural demand normalization" rather than consumer weakness following the tariff-fueled shopping spree...

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RSK: It could be due to the warmer than usual weather making the indoor with air conditioning more appealing.