Shopping malls restructure to adapt to challenge

Shopping malls need to become more experiential to adapt to growing pressure from online shopping, industry experts said.

"Experiential consumption or one-stop shopping is the most essential strategic adjustment to meet the challenge brought by the online shopping boom," said Chen Zhongwei, head of research at CBRE China.

According to Chen, department stores will take the biggest hit because the retail model is under double pressure from the shopping mall boom and the increasing popularity of e-commerce.

Phoenix Shopping Center, a high-end shopping mall under China Resources Land, for instance, launched a series of art shows for the holiday season.

The series, consisting of art salons and crazy pianos, will help to attract more passenger flow, according to the mall's marketing chief. It is part of the mall's efforts to fight online shopping outlets for customers during the holiday season.