Leasing Tip of the Day: Take a Trip to the Mall!

New property to lease? Before you call a prospect or design a flyer, there’s one thing you MUST do first: go to the mall. Yes, seriously. Even if you’re not a shopper (raises hand), the regional mall is the heart of the market and your best source of live intel.

Why? Because the mall is the Main & Main of any trade area. It’s where you’ll quickly see:
✅ Which brands are thriving
✅ What people are buying
✅ Who’s shopping and when
✅ What’s hot—and what’s not

Before I even get on a plane to visit a new market, I’m Googling the malls. I want to know the anchors, the top restaurants, the buzzworthy local spots, and even the sales per square foot (pro tip: that helps you evaluate achievable rents).

But don’t stop at Google. Once you’re in the market, walk the mall. Look at the bags people are carrying. Where are the moms hanging out? Where are the teens? What’s happening on the perimeter—those pads and outparcels are part of your story, too.

When you know what’s working at the mall, you’ll have the knowledge and confidence to make smarter leasing decisions.

Bottom line: Before you lease, take a lap. The mall is where your market study begins—and where your best ideas are waiting!

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