Can Big Retail Succeed in This Age?

The Vessel, the multi-storied retail emporium nestled in the newly minted Hudson Yards complex in New York’s midtown west side, opened to optimism and fanfare last month, boldly proposing a new era in retail. But after a visit to the grand structure boasting a first ever Neiman Marcus and Forty Five Ten in NYC and a requisite mix of other luxury and high street stores, we question the need and the relevance of big brick and mortar retail spaces in this age. When customer experience are key buzzwords and online shopping is the new normal, just how glorious and needed is a mall in the middle of New York City?