Japanese supermarket chain Ropia has made a bold move by opening branches in deserted shopping malls, breathing fresh life into these 'ghost malls'. It's a strategic response to a sharp increase in abandoned commercial areas. While the move carries risks, it also promises benefits such as reduced leasing costs and uninterrupted business operation. It's the company's answer to the changing landscape of Japanese retail.

Japan's aging and declining population has led to an increase in abandoned buildings and deserted malls, known as 'Haikyo Malls'. Instead of demolishing these structures, companies like Ropia are repurposing them, a trend welcomed by many Japanese citizens who value reuse and recycling, and are concerned about urban decay and waste. It is seen as a strategic and innovative approach to a difficult economic and societal issue.

The decline of brick-and-mortar retail and abandoned shopping malls are also a phenomenon in the US and EU, largely due to the rise of e-commerce. However, repurposing strategies may differ. In the US, for example, deserted malls have been transformed into community centers, offices, and even housing. Unlike the Japanese approach, demolition and reconstruction are often preferred over renovation.