Online Shopping Cripples Anchor Stores

All malls have an anchor store, where we go for reading glasses, kids’ clothing, cosmetics, shoes, designer handbags, sheets and mattresses, men’s clothing and even hairdressing.

They are called anchor stores because they anchor the shopping mall. Stores around them benefit because we walk around and end up at the jewelry store. That’s where cousin Simon will get an engagement ring on higher purchase for his fiancée Lula Mae.

What happens if we get all these things from the internet, sometimes at a better price because online stores don’t pay rent, like mall stores? The mall crumbles. Less traffic to the anchor store results in less traffic to all stores around it.

Reason why malls fear online shopping

They know the feeling. Malls destroyed the neighbourhood store which was run by Mr. and Mrs. Jones. There was business, which was shared  because the clothing shop referred customers to the shoe shop in the same strip mall.

Knock. Knock. The mall provided all those shops under one roof. Family run businesses went out of business. Guess what? Online shopping is doing the same thing to shopping malls, cut down their legs.

Lesson? What goes around comes around. Or, every dog has its day. Anchor stores are in trouble because of online shopping, so are shopping malls.

By: Nonqaba waka Msimang.