In fact, the web has "forced traditional retailers to come into the 20th century" in terms of selling outlets, Konarski reported at the recent ICSC Western Division Conference. He also sharedUS Department of Commerce statistics that indicated that Internet sales represent less than 1% of total retail sales. During the second quarter of 2000, retail sales totaled $815 billion, of which $5.5 billion came from Internet sales.

But the web is not always viewed as a foe, and some shopping center operators are embracing the technology in an effort to help their tenants and recapture walk-in revenues. General Growth Properties, for one, has established kiosks to let shoppers access the Interent at the malls.

Of course, where the blending of the two venues---bricks and clicks--will lead, and what ultinmate effect it may have on the maket remains to be seen.