Empty spaces

During today's walk at Tanglewood I noticed some additional empty stores. Sam's Warehouse that sold men's suits is now empty as is Raquela's (I predicted that store closing right after it opened). The mall walker activity was light today and there weren't many shoppers there either. Of course, I arrived just after 10 so it could have just been too early for the crowds of shoppers who would want to take advantage of Goody's 70% price reductions - or not.

During the Christmas shopping season, Valley View Mall was distributing coupon books to encourage people to spend at their stores. I am surprised that Tangelwood didn't do something like this also. I see travel sites on the web that combine offers for airfare, rental cars and hotels so that the end result is a savings for the consumer. I wonder if the store owners at Tanglewood have ever discussed combining their product/service offerings in a way that would encourage business and provide a savings for the consumer in the process. For instance, if I am going to get my hair done at Hair Plus, couldn't they give me a discount coupon to use at Lee Nails for a manicure too; and vice versa? If I am in GNC buying a diet aid, how about a coupon to use for a healthy salad selection at Applebee's for lunch? Referral programs generate business and it seems to me that these trying economic times demand some new ideas for increasing business. I hope that someone can come up with something before the mall turns into a ghost town.