Philly’s Fashion District and the future of shopping malls

We talk about the future the shopping and malls, starting off with the remodeled and rebranded Fashion District that opened last week in Philadelphia.

Air Date: September 26, 2019 10:00 am

Adults play in the 'highly instagrammable' marshmallow pit at the Fashion District's Candytopia exhibit. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)

Guests: Elizabeth Wellington, Joseph Hancock

Philadelphia’s Fashion District opened last week. It’s the remodel of the Gallery Mall on Market Street in Center City. Reviews have been mixed for the $420 million-plus makeover, which the developers are calling “retailtainment” and includes shops like H&M, Ulta, Eddie Bauer, Armani X, Starbucks, City Winery, a bowling alley and a movie theater. In recent years, shopping malls around the country have been closing, hit hard by competition from online shopping and big box stores. This hour, we’ll look at the new Fashion District and the state of retail in our region and around the country. Also, the battle between ecommerce and brick-and-mortar stores. And the influence of social media on our shopping habits and styles. Our guests are JOSEPH HANCOCK, professor of retail and merchandising at Drexel University and ELIZABETH WELLINGTON, lifestyle columnist for The Philadelphia Inquirer.

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