They attract millions of visitors each year, lured by the convenience of doing all their shopping under one roof, with restaurants, cinemas and more to boot.
This retro photo gallery shows South Yorkshire’s malls as they looked during the 90s.
Meadowhall and Crystal Peaks, in Sheffield, Doncaster’s Frenchgate Centre, Parkgate, in Rotherham, and Barnsley’s Alhambra feature in this trip down memory lane.
The nostalgic photos show lost shops, including C&A, BHS, Woolworths, Tandy and Debenhams.
They capture big events over the years, from Christmas lights switch-ons to concerts and filming for a major TV show.
Famous visitors are pictured, including Coronation Street legend Liz Dawn, Star Wars actor Kenny Baker and two of the original Gladiators, Cobra and Lightning.
And ordinary shoppers are seen too, browsing for bargains in the sale, taking part in competitions and raising money for charity by bathing in baked beans and custard.
These photos show how much has changed in the course of more than a quarter of a century at these familiar landmarks.
How many of you remember the big screen at Meadowhall’s Oasis dining quarter, for example, or the old UCI cinema at Crystal Peaks, which in 1997 hosted the premiere of The Full Monty?
Do these photos bring back any memories for you, and where is your favourite place to shop?
1. Battle of the Bands
'Vanquish' playing at Barnsley's Alhambra shopping centre in the Battle of the Bands competition in 1997 | Sheffield Newspapers Photo: Steve Ellis
2. C&A
Ben Brook, manager of C&A at Doncaster's Frenchgate shopping centre, joins some of his staff to celebrate the completion of his new-look store in 1999 | Frenchgate centre, Doncaster Photo: Submitted
3. Gladiators
Gladiator stars Cobra and Lightning open the new HMV store at the Parkgate shopping centre, Rotherham, in 1997 | Sheffield Newspapers Photo: Steve Ellis
4. Christmas shopping
Meadowhall's Oasis dining area at Christmas in 1999 | Sheffield Newspapers Ltd