How U.S. malls survived the death of department stores

American malls are pivoting toward an experiential model less dependent on department stores. U.S. department stores are struggling to compete against newer, online direct-to-consumer competitors and smaller brick-and-mortar retailers that have been able to keep up with the ever changing demand of consumers. And this is causing familiar retailers like JCPenney, Sears and Macy's to close, the latter of which recently announced it would close up to 150 stores.