Mall Traffic Is Rising, but Department Stores May Still Be Doomed

More sales-driving innovation is needed. To its credit, the department store industry is on the right track. Adding restaurants to the mix is a bold step to be sure, as is introducing services like haircuts and styling help. But as HeadCount Corp. CEO Mark Ryski says:”Traffic for the sake of traffic does retailers no good.” His prescription for players like Macy’s, Penney’s and Nordstrom? “Food courts, waterparks and skating rinks are all well and good, but retailers need to provide shoppers with reasons to visit their stores, and not just rely on mall walkers to stumble upon their stores.”