JOY Drive

20 Mar 2025

Associate Professor Lauren Rosewarne: Are Shopping Malls Dying?

Business, Consumer Affairs, Popular Culture, Shopping, Society & Culture

It was buzzing if you stepped into an Australian shopping centre in the 1990s. Families were renting movies at Video Ezy, grabbing groceries at Franklins, or browsing gadgets at Australian Geographic.

Fast forward to 2025, and things look very different. Some department stores are ghost towns, cafes are struggling, and empty shopfronts are everywhere.

Ally Fashion, Rivers, and Michel’s Patisserie are just a few of the iconic Australian brands that have collapsed in the past year. And with rising costs and shifting shopping habits, many more could follow.

So, what’s behind the retail downturn? And can anything save the Aussie shopping mall?

Guest: Lauren Rosewarne, Associate Professor in Public Policy, Social and Political Sciences at the University of Melbourne

Presenter: Warren Andrew

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 11:13 — 15.4MB)

Subscribe or Follow Us: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS

26 Nov 2025

Nicole Rich: Property Underquoting

Consumer Affairs, Finance, Investing, Law

Underquoting has become a flashpoint for frustrated buyers and confused sellers, especially as some properties continue to sell far above ...

26 Nov 2025

Elliot Attard: Gaming News

Games & Hobbies, Popular Culture, Video Games

From surprise drops to messy patches and the next wave of must-play titles, the gaming world is bursting with updates. ...

26 Nov 2025

Suzy Wrong: TV Series Review – Boots

LGBTIQA+ Community, TV & Film

Suzy Wrong reviews Netflix’s Boots, which dives into big life pivots, belonging, and the fear of being “too late”. Guest: Suzy ...