- Shopping malls have had a challenging few years, which some have dubbed a “retail apocalypse.”
- But it wasn’t always this way. The ’90s were a great time for malls and mall-goers alike.
- These vintage photos show how much malls have changed since their ’90s glory days.
Ah, the ’90s. Everything seemed much simpler then, including shopping. Now that we have the entire internet at our disposal, it can be overwhelming to find exactly what we’re looking for — we have too many choices. And without smartphones and streaming, hanging out at the mall was also the best way to kill time with friends.
Brick-and-mortar stores are also feeling the effects of online shopping. More than 2,000 stores closed down across the US in 2024, including mall staples such as Foot Locker, Express, Macy’s, and Buybuy Baby. Business Insider dubbed December alone a “mini-retail apocalypse.”
But maybe Gen Z — who are “big-time mallrats” — will lead the resurgence of the mall, especially luxurious ones. For now, take a stroll down memory lane to see how fun malls used to be in the ’90s.