The term 'mall' has been on a long and winding journey since its inception in the mid-18th century. Initially, it referred to a place where people played pall-mall, a game similar to croquet. Later, it came to mean a wooded park where people went for walks and socialize. In the mid-1950s, Victor Gruen revolutionized the modern mall format, which was a collection of independent retail stores, services and a parking area, managed by an independent firm. The concept of a suburban mall further advanced in the United States after World War II.
Superregional malls, with more than 800,000 square feet (74,000 m²) of gross leasable area, three or more presenters, mass commerce, more variety of fashion clothing and that serves as the main shopping center in the region (25 miles or 40 km) in which it is located, became increasingly popular with shoppers. In the United Kingdom and Ireland, both outdoor and closed centers are commonly referred to as shopping malls. The Grandview Avenue shopping center in Columbus, Ohio, which opened in 1928, included 30 stores and parking for 400 cars. This project revitalized a struggling market in the center of the city and focused on food and specialized retail items. When Victor Gruen developed the mall format in the mid-1950s, it was necessary to sign with department stores to ensure the financial stability of the projects and attract retail traffic. Over the past 2 or 3 years, India's consumer market has seen a remarkable growth in the number of modern malls. The word mall has also been applied to streets that were closed to make stores comfortable for pedestrians.
With the opening of Water Tower Place and Faneuil Hall, the mall industry had returned to its urban roots. Nowadays, shopping malls are an essential part of our lives. They provide us with convenience and comfort when we shop for our favorite items. From superregional malls to small local centers, they offer us a wide variety of products and services. Shopping malls have come a long way since their inception in the mid-18th century. From being places where people played pall-mall to becoming an integral part of our lives today, they have evolved significantly over time.
With their wide range of products and services, they have become an essential part of our lives.
