Question

Property developers who build shopping malls like to have them "anchored" with the outlets of one or more famous national retail chains, like target or nordstrom. having such "anchors" is obviously good for the mall developers because anchor stores bring a lot of foot traffic that can help generate sales for smaller stores that lack well-known national brands. but what's in it for the national retail chains? why become an anchor?

Answer 1

It's because then author stores may be like you're feeling there is a first mover advantage to becoming almost one of the only FEW anchors at a new mall. This would make it so if there were anchors everywhere, it wouldn't be as good for the mall.