In an age when holiday shopping can be finished with a few taps on a screen, many Michigan shoppers are still choosing to make their way to local malls, places that used to bring people together, boost local businesses, and mark the start of the Christmas season. These were not just shopping centers but places where families made memories, friends met after school, and the holiday activities took place.
For some shoppers, the appeal of malls comes down to being able to experience products firsthand. Robin, a shopper browsing at Meridian Mall during the holiday rush, said she prefers shopping in person because it allows her to better understand what she is buying. She said being able to touch items and see their size makes purchases feel more reliable, adding that returns are often easier when shopping in-store.
Others echoed that sentiment while pointing to the broader impact of in-person shopping. Kim, who was also visiting the Meridian Mall instead of shopping online, said she enjoys keeping local businesses alive. She added that stores have felt noticeably quieter recently, making it feel more important to show up in person during the holiday season.
Data shows that the number of traditional malls in the U.S. has fallen significantly. According to Capital One Shopping, there are approximately 1,200 malls nationwide in 2025. Projections now indicate that by 2028 this number could shrink to as few as 900.
That decline tracks a broader trend in store closures: from 2016 to 2024, U.S. malls lost a net 18,730 stores. In many cases, anchor stores, those major retailers at the ends of malls to pull shoppers in like Macy’s, JCPenny, Sears, vanished, a blow that small businesses and foot traffic depended on for survival.
Employees at Twelve Oaks mall say the shift has been clear. Bayda, an employee at Macy’s, described how shopping used to be “the thing back then,” before online retail became the norm. At Meridian Mall, employee Meadow seemed to agree as she noted the small number of cars in the parking lot.
“We always have a bunch of online orders and even, like in our salon area, we barely get any people to buy any of our products,” Meadow said. “And with clothes, all of this is clearance and we have pink tickets everywhere, and it’s even cheaper and people still don’t really come.
But even as online buying increases, some shoppers say the in-person experience offers something the internet cannot replicate. Sarah, a shopper at Twelve Oaks, who spent the afternoon browsing stores with a friend, said she prefers the spontaneity of in-store gift hunting.
“You actually get to look around and there are things you find that you don’t even think of,” she said. She added that being able to “hang out with my friend and actually feel the materials of gifts” makes the trip worth it.
Human connection also plays a role, particularly during the holidays, which is why Ellie Humble was shopping at the Meridian Mall. She said gift-giving feels more meaningful when it involves personal interaction.
“I love gift giving because I think it makes our connection stronger and shows how much we care for each other,” Humble said.
Retailers are noticing the same desire for connection. At Lululemon in Arbor Hills, staff said in-store service remains key, especially during the holidays.
“It’s nice to be able to come in and feel and touch the products, try on. That’s what we’re all about here,” Megan, an assistant manager at Lululemon said.
Many customers still buy online, but end up in the store anyway for sizing help, pickups or exchanges.
“We’re here to provide that experience so you can get it right the first time,” Megan said. Small businesses inside malls are navigating the shifting landscape as well. At a local jewelers, the owner said the store benefits from offering what online retailers cannot.
“We make our own jewelry, so we are the only people offering this,” Muhammed, a Millenium Jewelers employee said. While online shopping has helped their business in some ways, having unique items that can be seen and held in person still draws customers into the store.
For some shoppers, a visit to the mall is tied to memory and tradition. At Briarwood Mall, local shopper Brendan returned to pick up gifts he and his girlfriend had noticed during an earlier trip.
“You can actually see the product and see what it’s like,” Brendan said. “Shopping online, you don’t really know what it’s like feeling and touching it.”
He believes malls could thrive again with “more stores, more people, more fun events to keep people coming in.”
And in some places, you can already see how shifts inside the mall change the way people move. At the squishable store in Briarwood, employee Killian described increased foot traffic since a nearby popular teen store shut its doors.
Changes inside the mall affect more than just shopping. Crystal, who works at Meridian mall, said one reason she enjoys working there is the sense of community. She said she likes many of the stores that are still open and described the employees as friendly and welcoming. According to Crystal, workers from different stores often talk to each other, which makes the mall feel connected. She said it is “a really nice community to work in,” even as the mall continues to change.
Across the state, mall operators are trying to take that idea even further by reimagining their spaces altogether. One kiosk employee pointed to the construction of a new grocery store and apartments near the mall as a sign that management is trying to keep the area active, not just the mall itself. Sarah added that many larger centers in Michigan are now mixing traditional retail with markets, office space, and other multipurpose features, an effort to reinvent malls into places where people don’t just shop, but live, work and spend time.
“Briarwood’s putting in a market nearby that I think kind of they’ll turn into multipurpose centers or Fairlane has office space, so just kind of coupling shopping centers with other pieces of business as well to kind of help both out essentially,” Megan said.
The contrast between data and lived experience is stark. On one hand, the decline in the number of malls and store closures paints a grim picture. On the other hand, real shoppers and retail workers still articulate the value of human connection, especially during the holidays. For many visitors, the appeal remains simple: the human element. Whether it’s finding the right size on the first try, sharing time with friends or simply grabbing a pretzel between stores, the mall remains a place where gift giving begins not with a click, but with connection.
