The largest shopping mall operator in the US, Simon Properties Group, based in Indianapolis, is opening its 49 shopping centres across the country today. Many of the locations, reports the New York Times, are in Texas, Georgia, Missouri and Indiana. Others to open will be Tennessee, South Carolina, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Alaska and Mississippi. Each mall’s stores have the choice of whether to open or not and the group has instructed its tenants that if they do open there are a range of restrictions that must be observed by malls, including roping off every urinal and sink in the restrooms. As FECs in the US are often located in shopping malls, what happens with that retail sector is of vital importance to the amusement and attractions industry. (2020/05/06)