Malls, once symbols of American consumer culture, are splitting

The Livingston Mall in New Jersey, once a bustling retail hub, has declined into a 'zombie' mall with closed anchor stores like Macy's, Sears, and Lord & Taylor. In contrast, The Mall at Short Hills, featuring high-end brands such as Nordstrom and Gucci, remains vibrant, highlighting a K-shaped split in mall success based on socioeconomic factors.