On the ole shopping centres, I think we have found out one of the "middle men" that is gaining all our dollars. Recently I read that the US was moving away from the shooping mall, for those exact reasons. With the economy in serious decline, shop owners could nto afford the rents and are moving back to the shopping strips that they used to inhabit. From what I have read about the costs involved in being in a Westfield shopping centre I am not surprised at the turnover of shops. But for a lot of retailers, the big chains, it is a case of you need to be there. I have noticed that JB HiFi have been moving to larger premises in industrial areas rather than the shopping centres....
If you think of the rent then think of the restrictive hours you must be open to be there and the fixed costs of services...it can soon add up....
Saying that though....I am not about to line the pockets of Westfield and the like, if I can help it. Retailers need to realise that if they provide service and a competative price we will come....