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Simon Property Group owns and rents out large shopping malls, outlet centers, and mixed-use properties, collecting rent from the stores and brands that operate inside them.
Simon Property Group is the biggest owner of shopping malls in America. It owns and operates large enclosed malls, premium outlet centers, and mixed-use developments where people shop, eat, and stay. Its customers are the retailers and brands that rent space inside these properties — companies like Apple, Nike, and Zara — plus the shoppers who visit. Simon makes money primarily by collecting rent from tenants, and it also earns fees for managing properties and through its ownership stakes in other retail companies.
Think of it as a giant landlord for the places where America goes to shop. Instead of selling clothes or phones itself, Simon owns the buildings and the land, then charges stores rent for the right to be there. When a mall is full and busy, Simon can charge more rent and attract better tenants. When stores struggle, Simon feels the pain too. The company also owns a big stake in other retail businesses, including a portion of Authentic Brands Group, which owns brands like Forever 21 and Barneys.
Simon has been dealing with the same forces reshaping retail: more people buying online, fewer people visiting some malls. But its best properties — the big, high-traffic malls and outlet centers — have held up well. The company has been reinvesting in its top properties, adding restaurants, hotels, and apartments to turn them into destinations rather than just places to buy things. It also pays a large dividend to shareholders from the cash its properties generate.
Saved answer · last researched 11 Oct 2026