US malls focus on experiences to woo disappearing shoppers

New York

LOU Conforti, chief executive officer of shopping-mall landlord Washington Prime Group Inc, is betting on jelly beans.

Visitors to the company's booth at the International Council of Shopping Centers' annual convention in Las Vegas are greeted with a colourful self-serve display of candy, a plug for a project the Columbus, Ohio-based company is rolling out in about five of its 110 properties.