Los Angeles Business Journal
Jul 28, 2025
What makes or breaks a shopping mall, whether it’s indoor, outdoor or grocery-anchored?
The rise in popularity of the outdoor shopping mall has been building consistently over the last decade or so, and the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic further solidified its position at the top.
As the world began to go out again, many were still cautious, opting for open spaces. Thus, outdoor shopping malls had the upper hand in recovering from the pandemic because people felt safer venturing out in the open air versus an indoor mall.
Outdoor retail has inherent appeal – especially with Los Angeles’ climate – which helps set up these centers for success, although it isn’t guaranteed.
If a shopping center becomes outdated and doesn’t have the right mix of “modern, relevant” tenants in terms of retail but also experiential and dining, Meghann Martindale, a retail professional at Avison Young, said their fate can be doomed.
“It’s not just about driving foot traffic and visits. It’s also about building that loyalty and that frequency,” Martindale said, especially in a competitive retail giant like Los Angeles.