Popular retail chain shutters stores and makes major shopping change

Shoppers are likely to notice the changes right away.

Feb 19, 2025 - 16:18

Popular retail chain shutters stores and makes major shopping change

If you've shopped around at an indoor mall, outlet mall or any other shopping center recently, you've probably noticed a few changes.

For one, your local indoor shopping mall might seem as if it's been all but abandoned.

Back in the 1980s and 1990s malls were in their heyday. The average U.S. consumer spent an estimated average of 12 hours a month in a shopping mall. Most likely they were wandering through various stores, seeking things they needed and getting distracted by the things they didn't.

More Retail:

For decades malls were a successful model because they catered to the wandering shopper. Malls rely heavily on foot traffic and idle consumer interest. Perhaps you went into your local mall seeking sneakers, but the stand selling pretzels smelled good so you bought one, and you couldn't help but check out your favorite clothing shop, so you came out with a few extra bags you didn't necessarily need.

This spillover effect is why so many malls charge their tenants higher-than-average rents. Tenant retailers could rely on idle consumer interest to keep sales high, even if they didn't necessarily offer them the best values.

The inside of a crowded mall.
Shutterstock

Shopping habits are changing

But that has all changed.

Malls have never really offered the best prices, which is something shoppers were willing to overlook in the name of convenience. Where else could you get formalwear, furniture, electronics, meals, and a hot meal all in one place?

But when malls began to lose ground in the convenience game, the entire model started to falter. Shoppers increasingly looked online for many of their needs, whether that was a sofa or a suit. It's also easier to compare prices online, so if you can get a deal and easier access to goods, it's a no-brainer.

Whether it was online, at closer suburban shopping centers, or outlet malls, consumers had started to adjust their shopping habits. And shopping malls saw a lot of stores close.

Popular retailer makes adjustments

During Covid, many folks began to explore and add hobbies. These might have included spending more time outdoors, so many outdoor outfitters experienced something of a boom.

Dick's Sporting Goods (DKS) , which sells everything from camping outerwear to athletic accessories, was one such recipient of good fortune.

But now some of its subsidiaries are struggling as fewer folks have time to continue with their outdoor adventuring — at least not as frequently as they used to.

The retailer has now closed at least five of its owned Public Lands stores. Its similarly owned Moosejaw outdoor stores are now down to just three brick-and-mortar locations.

Additionally, Moosejaw's website now redirects to Public Lands.

"Hey, Friends! We are Public Lands," a pop-up message on the newly redirected page reads.

"We’ve joined forces with Moosejaw to bring you gear from all the best brands, the same sweet loyalty program, the hottest deals and a 1% giveback that goes toward protecting our public lands for all."

Dicks Sporting Goods owns both Moosejaw and Public Lands. In 2023 Dick's acquired Moosejaw from Walmart and began closing 11 of its 14 brick-and-mortar stores. It then integrated the operations with Public Lands.

"We have decided to form one team that will support the operations of Public Lands and Moosejaw," Dick's said in part at the time, adding everyone will be based out of corporate headquarters in Pittsburgh.

"This move supports our business optimization efforts and will allow us to operate more efficiently, quickly leverage best practices across our outdoor business and drive our long-term success."

Dick's has not responded to TheStreet's request for comment on the most recent closings or the new website integration.