The tides may be turning for brick-and-mortar stores, with consumers indicating a strong desire, once they are vaccinated, to return to malls and shopping centers.
Seventy-three percent of consumers who typically visited shopped centers intend to return again after they have been vaccinated, according to a global consumer study released by IBM’s Institute for Business Value. The biggest categories that will see shifts toward in-person shopping are toys, games and hobbies, at 121%, and apparel, footwear and accessories, at 76%.