When did they stop selling useful stuff at the mall?

[spinbaby]

Because it was raining and I wanted a bit of exercise, I decided to take a walk at the local mall. Haven't been there in ages, and no wonder--nothing but cheap-looking overpriced cloths, "giftware," cosmetics, tacky home decor stuff, gaudy jewelry. All in all, I saw nothing that anyone remotely needs (although I'm sure there were tools in Sears somewhere) and everything looked so darn cheap, like it had all arrived in one big container from China.

[LeftinOH]

1. When did they start?

Its all in the lighting, displays & presentation; Abercrombie & Fitch is a perfect example -the actual product is mostly crap with a sky-high markup.

[spinbaby]

3. I don't know about your malls

but ours used to have a real hardware store, a pharmacy, and a newstand. Not to mention stores where you could buy clothes that one could actually wear.

[HopeHoops]

2. Useful stuff at a mall?

Well, unless you are in the tool department at Sears,...

:lol:

[dembotoz]

4. several years ago, we had some time to blow between a wedding and a reception

so we went to the local mall.

I realized that i had not been in a mall for a number of years.
and somehow i survived.

I did not need to go to a mall.
for anything.
When did they stop selling useful stuff at the mall???
Perhaps some time ago.
Long enough ago that I do not even consider it as a shopping alternative anymore.

[mitchum]

5. It seems like 90% of their merchandise is geared toward prole teens

I guess you can never own enough Scarface and professional wrestling T shirts

[Arugula Latte]

6. I go to the mall maybe once or twice a year, and every time

I think: "There is nothing in this mall that appeals to me, or that I want, or that I need."

[femmocrat]

7. Well, there are still kitchen items and linens at the department stores.

But if you need a whosit or a whatsit, you have to drive all over town.

Our mall has a Dollar Tree, so I occasionally find useful items in there. But not always.

[fizzgig]

8. the mall here is all but useless

the only reason i have to go there is it has the closest tmobile store and a killer chocolate shop.