Outlet Malls Losing Share of Shoppers

Columbus, OH, Aug. 5, 2008-—Not only are shoppers changing their behavior in reaction to higher food and fuel prices, but the shares of monthly shoppers and monthly clothing shoppers continue to decline across most shopping center types, reports TNS Retail Forward.

Recent TNS Retail Forward ShopperScape survey results indicate the shares of survey respondents shopping most shopping center types monthly—either for any kind of merchandise or specifically for clothing—again declined in 2008.

“The only locations to capture larger shares of monthly shoppers as well as monthly clothing shoppers in 2008 are power centers, strip malls with supermarket anchors and online sites,” said Kelly Tackett, senior consultant with TNS Retail Forward.

“While high gasoline prices are boosting the popularity of power centers, they are deterring shoppers from trekking to outlet malls,” Tackett adds.

“Likewise, our research indicates that the appeal of regional malls continues to dwindle, and despite the increased construction of lifestyle centers, the format still hasn’t gained traction among a majority of shoppers.”