The death of the mall: Can it survive COVID-19?

Will COVID-19 be the ‘great accelerator’ in the death of the shopping mall? The mall has gone from the height of the social scene to struggle street in only a couple of decades, and the closing of shops amid the pandemic is leading to fears the “dead mall” phenomenon seen in the US could be in store for Australia.

More than a third of all shopping is expected to be online by 2030 and big retail chains here in Australia are struggling. So in today’s Briefing, we ask: Is the mall dead? And is Covid-19 the final nail in its coffin? We speak to Gemma Acton, an economist for 7News who’s been watching retail trends very closely, and we find out what it’s been like to work at a mall and in retail during Covid.

In today's news headlines:

• Queensland, ACT rush to trace Covid-19 case as NSW delays easing restrictions
• Revamped Virgin could become a budget airline
• Inquiry warns acquiring Aboriginal flag copyright sets “dangerous precedent”

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