With customer traffic sagging, U.S. retail landlords like Indianapolis-based Simon Property Group Inc. are using their sprawling concrete lots to host events such as carnivals, concerts and food ...

Sears, Roebuck & Co. was the first department store to sign a lease with Woodland Mall's developers in 1965. Built for $20 million by mega-developer Alfred Taubman, the mall opened in March 1968.

Department store chains developed infrastructure to standardize their mall locations and had warehouses that held massive volumes of inventory, which were shipped across the country.