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NJ Malls Ghost Towns: Christmas Cheer Vanishes
7 Dec
Summary
- Two New Jersey malls show dismal holiday foot traffic.
- Permanently closed storefronts and empty corridors mark the decline.
- Malls face an uncertain future as online shopping dominates retail.
During the peak holiday shopping season, two New Jersey malls, Hamilton Mall and Livingston Mall, are experiencing an alarming lack of visitors. Reports indicate anemic foot traffic, with numerous storefronts permanently closed, leaving corridors eerily quiet. The festive atmosphere expected during this time has failed to materialize, with even Santa Claus sitting without families to photograph.
This stark reality at Hamilton Mall in southern New Jersey and Livingston Mall, located further north, mirrors a broader national trend. The shift in consumer behavior towards online shopping, significantly benefiting platforms like Amazon, has put immense pressure on traditional retail spaces. Experts predict a substantial decrease in the number of operating malls across the United States in the coming years.
New Jersey's malls are categorized, with some high-tier locations retaining shoppers through luxury offerings, while middle-tier malls rely on essential stores. However, bottom-tier malls, like the ones struggling, are facing an existential crisis, with dwindling store selections and deteriorating infrastructure, such as pothole-filled parking lots and sinkholes, further deterring potential visitors.
