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Shopping malls now want to be known as a place where teens can just hang out.

The exit of Sears Canada is casting a further shadow over the future of the staid shopping centre as the retail industry continues to deal with increased competition, lower consumer spending and more stores choosing to close their doors.

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Sears, which officially closed all of it’s Ontario stores this month leaves many shopping centres, including Carlingwood Mall, where it occupied close to 180,000 square feet of space, without key retail tenants. The company’s store at the St. Laurent Shopping Centre was slightly smaller, coming in around 149,000 square feet.

While Sears may be the latest to board up its stores, there have been many others exiting or clawing back their presence in the retail scene in recent years.

Target is most high profile example, however Toys R Us Canada is in the midst of bankruptcy filings, the U.S. parent of Payless Shoes is struggling, Danier leather has disappeared, and Gymboree is also in financial distress.