There are different classes of mall. In general those class A malls targeted at higher income stores and shoppers have been more resilient over the past decade than middle or lower. (Nordstrom vs Macy’s vs. Kmart)
It's straight up miserable to be in mclean/tysons between october and february. Truly it is america's asshole. And yes, people conspicuously consume more than ever. I think this is likely not true of most malls, though, the shopping culture here is just nuts.
Because in a lot of places there is nothing else fun to do. There is in particular nothing to do for teenagers. They aren’t welcome at most places and the mall is about the only place where you can go and (a) not be run out of there and (b) not have your parents worried that you are getting up to no good. So teenagers grow up in the malls and as adults are habitually going back.
