I haven't been to a mall in a long time. I generally have enough "stuff" and not much time.
I just realized the last trip to the mall was so the munchkins (grandchildren) could play in the play area. Didn't spend a dime and spent fun time with the babies.
If you do not pay workers enough that they can afford what you/they are making, you got real trouble, duuuuh. Lawn mowers made by .30/hour workers, then shipped here, where underemployed/unemployed apartment dwellers do not need them, is one sad example.
I like malls. It's the only place I can go to watch people. I hardly ever buy anything there.
The bit that sticks out - to me, anyway - is the movement of income away from the middle of society to the top 10%. Any one individual has a limit to his needs, so if spare purchasing power is limited to 10% of the population, sales have to drop.
The "bottom line" is that a remedy is needed for the income drift.