Shopping malls were already in crisis before the Covid-19 pandemic, with the worry in the real estate industry centered around the fate and fortunes of mega malls across South Africa. Dominant and large malls have become one of the most challenging sectors of the real estate industry in recent years. They have lost their lustre as a main source of entertainment for families and the SA economy was already in the doldrums pre-Covid-19, impacting consumer spending and retail therapy patterns. The worry about shopping malls has intensified among industry players as there is also a step-change in the behaviour of consumers, with more people embracing online shopping and avoiding crowded malls for fear of contracting Covid-19.