What I wonder is what impact these closing stores will have on malls? The mall here has both a Sears and Kmart. I believe both of these locations are strong performers, so I don't expect to hear of a closure here. But if they do eventually close, that's two large anchors in one mall that will be empty.
The trick is malls need to get another large retailer to move into the space, which isn't likely to happen in this era of traditional brick and mortar stores closing, not expanding. They could also divide the vacant space into smaller units and try to rent that which may or may not work. Another less desirable alternative is to use the space for an alternate use, such as a call center or government offices, or maybe a college facility.
It seems more likely to me that the spaces will remain shuttered for many years if they ever find a tenant. This leaves the interior entrances blocked off, and the exterior with an empty parking lot and likely unkempt and trash-strewn landscaping and label scars. All of these things contribute to a mall decline in public perception and possibly being an invitation for crime as homeless try to enter the abandoned spaces, and an empty parking lot being places for crime or drug activity to occur.
With the case here, having multiple anchors affected by closures, does it really bode well that the mall can survive without the rents from two large tenants leaving? Surely it would be even more difficult, likely impossible to get any new stores to move into not one but two large spaces, in a mall that already has some vacancies?