The American Store Is Shrinking

The average store size in the U.S. is the smallest it’s been in at least 17 years, reflecting profound changes in the way Americans now shop.

The rise in e-commerce and a growing distaste for giant emporiums are softening demand for department stores and other big-box space. Restaurants and coffee shops, meanwhile, are gobbling up small storefronts as Americans spend more time dining out, ordering at drive-throughs or using food-delivery apps.