Between 20% and 25% of the nation’s shopping malls will close in the next five years, according to a new report from Credit Suisse that predicts e-commerce will continue to pull shoppers away from bricks-and-mortar retailers. Credit Suisse expects apparel sales to represent 35% of all e-commerce by 2030, up from 17% today. Retail industry experts say Credit Suisse may have underestimated the scope of the upheaval. Paula Rosenblum, co-founder and retail analyst at RSR Research, believes the report overstates the risks, and says lower-tier shopping centers in particular would bear the brunt of the blow. Malls, Rosenblum said, “are going to become more of a destination, not just for shopping but for activities and experiences.”makeda.easter@latimes.com@makedaeaster

Source: Los Angeles Times June 01, 2017 01:30 UTC