Can Latino buying power revive the shopping mall? Arizona

“Four years ago, Desert Sky Mall here was in trouble. As has been the case with many other malls across the U.S. during the past 15 years, overbuilding, demographic shifts and new competitors had taken their toll. The future looked bleaker still - until management realized that the road to salvation was right outside, cutting through the city’s growing Hispanic neighborhoods.

Today, Hispanic shoppers crowd a revitalized Desert Sky - now a mall with a Mexican accent. Moviegoers get salsa with their popcorn, salespeople are as likely to speak Spanish as English, and sneaker store Finish Line abuts Mexican bootmaker La Gran Bota, which was recruited from a swap meet down the road. Sales at the mall are up 15 percent annually since 2004.”

Stumble it! | |