You can't blame declining foot traffic for pushing mall retailers to close stores. "After a relatively weak summer performance, malls rebounded sharply in October 2025, with foot traffic to indoor malls, open-air shopping centers, and outlet malls rising significantly both year over year (YoY) and month over month (MoM)," according to data from Placer.ai. That's likely a good sign for the holiday season. "All mall formats saw clear YoY visit gains in October 2025, potentially signaling renewed consumer ...

Core Insights - IEM, a venture-backed retail innovation company, has partnered with Simon Property Group to create a new platform for high-growth brands to scale into brick-and-mortar retail quickly and flexibly [1][5]. Company Overview - IEM introduces 10x15-foot branded experiential "micro spaces" in high-traffic areas of malls, allowing brands to engage customers with physical products before purchase [3][6]. - The company offers a modular service menu, enabling brands to customize support in design, production, staffing, and operations, which reduces upfront investment and allows for rapid market entry [4][6]. - IEM has already partnered with six emerging brands, including OOFOS, Generation Tux, and Caddis Eyewear, with more brands set to launch in the near future [6][7]. Industry Trends - The initiative aims to bridge the gap between digital and physical retail, focusing on intelligent and flexible store openings that enhance customer experiences [5][7]. - IEM's model supports short-term leases and subsidized rents, allowing brands to test physical retail in a cost-efficient manner [7][8]. - The collaboration with Simon Property Group positions IEM within a network of top mall developers, enhancing its reach in high-performing retail environments [8][10].