As if we didn’t have enough to worry about, Hurricane Laura is bearing down on Louisiana and Texas potentially bringing along with it severe damage and potentially a lives lost. Keep in mind that in 2019, AccuWeather said that more than $22 billion in hurricane-related damages were reported which this year has the potential to surpass.

In an age of Amazon, shopping center marketers need to think and market differently especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Only 32% of shoppers go to stores because they enjoy the experience; more than three-quarters try to avoid stores altogether, according to the Salesforce Connected Shopper Report. Shopping centers must drive shoppers in by creating a unique selling proposition especially as many consumers are hesitant to venture out during this current pandemic.

If the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us anything it is that emergencies can happen at any moment -- severe weather, natural disasters or active shooters. These are events that threaten employee safety and impact business operations. Businesses need to choose the right emergency communications strategy, which includes a modern emergency mass notification system.

How important is customer engagement for your shopping mall? Take a look into the very near future:

Just because your shoppers aren’t currently visiting your shopping center, doesn’t mean you can’t reach out to them. You can’t afford shoppers forgetting about the great things your tenants and the center have to offer because you didn’t remind them.

As social distancing and self-isolation become the new normal, many shopping centers are running at limited capacity or have been forced to close down entirely.

Traditional shopping malls are facing an identity crisis. Changing consumer preferences and shopping habits have resulted in diminished foot traffic and reduced sales. Technology has made it possible for consumers to order products of any kind from any corner of the world. If you want such people to step out of their homes, you have to lure them with a compelling reason.

The retail industry has been experiencing quite a bit of turbulence for quite a few years. The emergence of online stores like Amazon has has had an impact on the profitability of brick and mortar businesses. Consequently, the shopping mall industry has also entered a state of frenzy. Dwindling foot traffic and plummeting revenue have forced many shopping centers to shut their doors.

The COVID-19 pandemic has been causing widespread panic and trepidation. It has already infected over 240,000 people and killed more than 10,000 across more than 160 countries. Health care facilities across the globe are getting overwhelmed by the rising number of patients. Moreover, many countries have commenced national lockdowns, which, in turn, is taking a toll on the global economy.

Pandemics have the power to disrupt life across the globe. The raging COVID-19 pandemic has claimed more than 15,000 lives in a span of a few months. It has also taken a toll on the global economy forcing many organizations to shut down temporarily. Several small businesses have had to lay off their employees and now face the threat of permanent closure.