Gen Z Is Driving Foot Traffic Back to Malls

A generation raised on smartphones is unexpectedly bringing shoppers back to physical retail. New data shows Gen Z making a majority of their purchases in stores, boosting traffic and leasing momentum in top-tier malls. In this episode, we examine why experiential retail is resonating with younger consumers, how mall owners are repositioning assets to capture this demand, and why the trend strengthens high-quality retail properties while leaving weaker centers behind.