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)

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21 Dec 2025

Associate Professor Liam Burke: What Netflix Buying Warner Bros Could Mean for Cinema

News & Politics, Society & Culture, TV & Film

Netflix’s move to buy Warner Bros has raised questions about the future of cinema. Associate Professor Liam Burke explains the ...

21 Dec 2025

Associate Professor Lauren Rosewarne: Why Christmas Songs Get Stuck in Our Heads

Music, Popular Culture, Psychology, Society & Culture

Christmas music triggers instant memories, emotions and associations, often within seconds of hearing it. Associate Professor Lauren Rosewarne explains why ...

21 Dec 2025

Lee Knight: Preventing Domestic Violence Before It Happens

Health, Personal Safety, Psychology, Relationships, Science & Medicine

A world-first Australian trial is exploring whether treating impulsivity could help prevent domestic and family violence before harm occurs. Lee ...