Scenarios about 'shopping malls'
Retail developments featuring multiple stores and services in an enclosed, climate-controlled environment that emerged in the mid-20th century as suburban populations grew. Shopping malls revolutionized consumer culture, transforming retail landscapes by centralizing commerce and creating new social spaces, particularly in North America. In alternate histories, their presence, absence, or alternative forms can reflect different patterns of urban development, consumer behavior, and economic systems.
What If Main Street Retail Never Suffered?
Exploring the alternate timeline where American small businesses and downtown shopping districts remained vibrant centers of commerce despite the rise of big-box stores, malls, and e-commerce.
What If Shopping Malls Never Declined?
Exploring the alternate timeline where American shopping malls maintained their cultural and economic dominance into the 2020s, reshaping retail, urban development, and social behaviors.