The answer to the age old question: outdoor or indoor malls?
Mizuki Kinoshita (she/her) // Contributor
Kit Vega (she/they) // Illustrator
The era of the indoor shopping complex is over. Over the past few decades, the shopping mall has dominated as not only people’s main source of casual goods and services but as a space where people could socialize and linger on the cheap. Slowly, they’ve begun to disappear with the rising popularity of the outdoor mall, which is for the best.
Outdoor construction costs and maintenance costs are cheaper than the indoor model, with the lack of overhanging hallways and extra corridors. Not to mention outdoor’s lack of air conditioning–trading that for the natural air’s cool breeze. All these cost differences benefit both owners and tenants.
The environment of the indoor malls can be overwhelming and not ideal for all. It took patrons time to find their favourite products by going aimlessly through the many stores and found themselves stressed by the experience. Some do not like to go shopping in the indoor shopping mall because they are claustrophobic.
Developing social media and online shopping have the most impact on the disappearance of malls in general. With this massive change, shoppers are now able to see reviews, posts and videos from other people who used virtually any product on websites, Instagram and YouTube. For these reasons, people do not waste time when they find products at a store. Now, everyone can shop anytime they want online and pick it up at the store.
One huge disadvantage that the outdoor complex has over the indoor shopping mall is less communication. In the past, people talked a lot with store staff to decide on certain products. However, people can see reviews online, and they can finish their purchases online, so they do not need to talk with store staff. Their communication with their family members and friends is less than before as well, lacking in the experience of leaving the changing room to ask “What do you think?”
If people would like to go shopping reasonably and efficiently, the outdoor complex is the best choice. I know I prefer the outdoor shopping experience as it works to keep me moving and creates a great way to relax. Also, the outdoor complex provides a nice breath of fresh air–both literally and figuratively–to shoppers everywhere by keeping them outdoors. While both have their ups and down, the outdoor complex reigns supreme.