Even with high consumer confidence, retail is dying. The middle class no longer has the same spending habits as it did for the past 60 years. Its fair to say that retail malls and outlets as we know them might not exist in the next 15-20 years. Why would somebody walk into a Macys and buy and item when you can order it of Amazon and have it delivered the same day for %20 cheaper?
There are still some things you might want to buy in person. Fresh produce, for example, or clothing. Especially clothing. A lot of people like to try on clothes before they buy - they want to see how it looks on them, they want to check out the quality and weight of the fabric. Plus, if you're picky about color there's no substitute for looking at something in person.
I realize you can effectively do that online by buying a bunch of stuff and returning what you don't want. But that's more of a hassle than just going to a brick and mortar retailer.
Sure, if they buy the same brand. But styles change. Not everyone is like me, still wearing the same brand (though sadly, not the same size) of jeans I wore in high school.
I don't know about you, but I don't only ever buy one brand/style of pants.
Hell, even if I wanted to, often by the time I need more pants, things have changed. Either the brand/style combo is no longer available, or I've gotten fatter (or skinnier! It has been happening recently!).
The middle class is shrinking and can't maintain the same spending habits. Home prices/equity are a sustaining source of activity anymore because so many lost their homes in the last recession.
A breakdown of retail by their target income demographic might reveal more.
