Retail news that keeps industry pros in the know
Retail Brew delivers the latest retail industry news and insights surrounding marketing, DTC, and e-commerce to keep leaders and decision-makers up to date.
These days, malls can’t lure shoppers with unlimited perfume spritzes and dressing room montages. What about a chance to return unwanted holiday gifts?
Concierge desks at six Simon malls will process returns for around two dozen retailers this holiday season, CNBC reports.
- Shoppers can bring unboxed goods and a QR return code to Simon employees; then Simon’s team will process the return.
- Gap, Levi’s, and Vera Bradley are among the brands participating in the first go-round.
Every sweater stitched with gamboling kittens could help Simon capture foot traffic, and maybe an impulse stop by AEO. Potential halo purchases are urgent: Earlier Covid-19 store closures dented occupancy and rent collection across Simon’s properties.
- Other retailers have found piggybacking success: Kohl’s said traffic to its stores increased after it started processing Amazon returns.
One roadblock? Some states are resuming lockdowns as Covid-19 cases rise, and officials have yet to consider the Talbots-Hot Topic-Express strip essential. Already, Simon has reclosed a mall in El Paso, TX; CEO David Simon called it a sign malls are “being treated unfairly.”