Despite the decline of regional malls across Missouri, Columbia Mall is holding steady.
More than half of the malls open in the state back in 1985 have since closed, but Columbia Mall Manager Rusty Strodtman, says his mall is doing just fine.
The mall turns 40 this week, opening its doors on October 9, 1985—and Strodtman told Missourinet that he hears a lot of people say that “malls are dying.”
“And that is in some cases true across the United States,” said Strodtman. “When the Columbia Mall opened in 1985, there were approximately 21 regional malls that were open and operating in the state of Missouri in 1985. If you look at those same 21 malls today, ten of those malls are open.”
Strodtman said that five of the original stores from 1985 are still open at the Columbia Mall and it really comes down to staying relevant to the customer.
“We’ve been fortunate at Columbia Mall that we have been able to stay relevant and as a result, you know our occupancy is over 90 percent,” said Strodtman. “You know all four of our anchor department stores are open and doing well and we have a lot of one, the only store in the market.”
One of the biggest challenges facing retail stores is theft.
Strodtman told Missourinet that it is a big cost of business for his retailers.
“Especially since COVID with just how things have changed in the way a lot of people shop and how people get around and do things that shoplifting, I think is on the rise,” said Strodtman. “I think the retailers are starting to become pretty technological savvy in order to combat a lot of that retail theft.”
According to recent reports retail theft cost U.S. stores an estimated $112.1 billion in 2022, and losses could climb to $140 billion by the end of 2025.
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