Malls are a grouping of retail businesses geared towards providing consumers with a one-stop shopping option. However, managing a large group of different businesses under the umbrella of one entity can be a challenge, particularly when you add to it an independent mall staff, issues with security and crowd management. Overcoming these obstacles requires careful planning and astute business acumen.
Malls generally hire younger employees who will work the unorthodox hours required and accept minimum wage. In most instances, teenagers and college students make up the crux of a mall staff, with the exception of higher level administrators. However, while these workers come cheaper, they come with a high price of their own, which is frequent turnover. One of the challenges in mall management is not allowing high turnover to affect the consistency with which the property is managed on day-to-day basis. In most instances, hiring more mature workers, providing benefits and offering a higher rate of hourly pay helps to overcome this particular challenge.
Mall management staff members have to deal with numerous businesses daily, each with their own way of doing things. This can be difficult because it is a barrier to building a cohesive team amongst mall businesses. The best way to combat this challenge is to establish a consistent set of policies and procedures for all mall stores, including a certain code of conduct to dictate how each business is expected to operate and interact with customers. Effective mall managers regularly communicate this information to all stores to ensure that everyone is on the same page.
Because malls are made up of several different stores, it is virtually impossible to constantly police each one. Therefore, theft is a significant security issue for many malls, particularly if the individual stores have no system in place with which to catch thieves and monitor theft among customers and employees. The best way to overcome this challenge is to station mall security guard in various positions around the facility, working closely with the individual stores to pinpoint suspicious behavior. Posting warning signs listing consequences of theft is another deterrent for theft in malls.
