In most of the world the term shopping
centre is used, especially in Europe and Australasia; however
shopping mall is also used, predominantly in North America.
Shopping precinct and shopping arcade are also used.
In North America, the term shopping mall is usually applied
to enclosed retail structures (and may be abbreviated to simply
mall) while shopping center usually refers to
open-air retail complexes, both usually have large parking lots,
face major traffic arterials and have few pedestrian connections to
surrounding neighborhoods.
Malls
in Ireland are usually referred to as "shopping centres" and are
typically very small and placed in the centre of town. They average
about twenty years in age – the oldest, Stillorgan
shopping centre, was built in 1966 – and include a mix
of local shops and chain stores. These malls do not have shops
found in the high street or modern shopping
centres.
Shopping centres in the United Kingdom can
be referred to as "shopping centres", "shopping precincts", or
"town centres". The standard British pronunciation of the word
"mall" is as in "The Mall, London" – the
tree-lined avenue leading to Buckingham Palace, London and also
like "pal" (friend).
In
Hong Kong, the term "shopping centre" is the most frequently used,
and the name of a shopping centre in Hong Kong usually contains the
word "centre" or "plaza".
Watch out for the many muggles. Don't
let them see
you.
Bring a pen for the logbook.