The world is perpetually evolving to become more advanced and suitable for humans. There’s technology, environment and entertainment, but there’s one aspect that tends to be overlooked: mall culture.

Once the heart of retail, 87% of American malls are expected to close over the next 10 years, according to research from Coresight Research, a firm specializing in the intersection of retail and technology. The rise of online shopping–one of the biggest factors in declining malls–raises questions about the value of in-person shopping and whether or not it has a place in the future in a consumer-driven society.

“In-person [shopping] is nice because I can try things on, but I like to shop online more because it’s really hard to find pants that are long enough for me. A lot of the time they don’t carry them in stores,” sophomore Savannah Lewis said.

The rise of online shopping has proven to be highly valuable and efficient, with the opportunity to provide a variety of suitable clothing to choose from, which is a limitation for in-person shopping. Another deciding factor for choosing how to shop is the quality of the items. Items in stores may be more prone to wear and tear due to the number of people coming across them.

“I just feel like [malls] should be cleaner, especially Sephora, because one time I bought a lip gloss and it was already used,” junior Olivia Di Corpo said. 

This is why many opt for online shopping; it’s extremely convenient for both the people running the organizations and also for the consumers. The practicality of e-commerce is above par–it’s efficient and offers a wide variety of items. Online shopping is increasingly relevant in modern day, diminishing the use of in-person shopping. However, there are aspects that online shopping could never replace.

“[Shopping] online is more convenient, but [shopping] in person is more fun, especially if you go with friends,” sophomore Maddie Briant said.

Although online shopping provides the most efficient options, the pleasure of going in person to a mall provides a unique experience. There’s much more to do than just shopping: there’s food, people and a place to hang out. The different options can keep someone occupied in a soothing third-space environment, and the human interactions are undeniable.

“You get to have that in-person feeling of trying on the clothes and talking with Customer Service,” DiCorpo said.

Moreover, research from the National Institutes of Health shows that tactile experiences that come with in-person shopping intuitively encourage purchase habits, as well as further satisfying the customer. In-person shopping comes with the satisfaction of knowing your purchase meets your standards exactly.

“It’s not good to shop online because you’re kind of blind buying, but I like to browse online and then buy it in person,” sophomore Lucas Gotelli said.

Both sides have different values, and no one is limited to one option. However, it’s safe to say that the desire for in-person shopping is still standing despite e-commerce popularity, due to its ability to provide great bonding opportunities, wonderful memories and purchase satisfaction.