A large enclosed building contains dozens of individual stores, food outlets, and common walkways under one roof. That building is a mall. It offers climate-controlled shopping and a concentration of retail choice.

Malls are typically anchored by department stores or large specialty retailers that draw traffic for the smaller tenants. Common areas host events, seating, and seasonal displays. Parking and security are managed centrally. For decades the mall was the dominant destination for suburban comparison shopping.

Many malls now face pressure from online retail and changing consumer preferences. Successful ones reinvent themselves with experiences, services, and mixed-use elements such as residential or office space. The enclosed mall remains a recognizable form even as its economic role evolves.

• Large building housing multiple retail tenants
• Usually enclosed with shared common areas
• Anchored by major stores that drive traffic
• Adapting to new retail and experiential uses