I think the reason they're doing reasonably well is because they've struck a good balance on knowing who Mall-Generation people were, why they went, and how those tastes have changed. You can't run a mall off of Sears, S'Barros, Chick-Fil-A, Hot Topic and FYE. Middle and High Schoolers socialize digitally instead of needing a place to meetup and waste time, Gen X and Millenials always thought JC Pennies was lame, and Boomers are settled and not buying stuff by the truckload to fill a house and clothe the kids.

Gen X and elder-Millenial crowds that remember wandering malls still kind of want that type of space though. Shortpump gave them a more "adult" mall, where the stores are higher end lifestyle companies, the food options are a big step up from food courts, and the decor doesn't look like a saved by the bell episode. It managed to keep the core "come for X, wander for a couple hours" purpose of the old malls while providing the things that still interest the people who grew up haunting malls.