Even as people slowly return to shopping malls for a quieter festive season, retailers are feeling the pain from more than half a year of zero or little foot traffic and less income. The retail sector saw a 10-month high record in business closures in September, with 457 companies shuttering for good. The sight of hoarding at malls is becoming an increasingly familiar, and depressing, sight. Yet there can be new opportunities during these calamitous times.

In New York City, non-profit organisation Chashama has been matchmaking empty shopfronts with artists so that the latter can display their works for sale. Landlords might not receive rents, but vibrant art is an improvement over hollow hoarding and could liven up the place. Artists who are in dire need of platforms to highlight their works can also earn income to ameliorate the pandemic's toll on their finances.