In Houston, Texas, where everything seems to come in extra-large proportions, shopping malls are no exception. As of August 2025, The Galleria stands tall as both the largest mall in Texas and the seventh largest in the United States, according to Business Insider. But Houston’s retail landscape isn’t just about size—it’s about evolution, as neighboring malls like Willowbrook are embracing bold new changes to keep up with shifting trends and consumer appetites.
The Galleria, a sprawling complex that covers roughly 2.4 million square feet, is a monument to retail ambition. With 319 stores, it offers everything from luxury boutiques to mainstream brands, and boasts a dizzying array of food and coffee options—so many, in fact, that even the most dedicated shopper might need a week to sample them all, as reported by Townsquare Media. It’s not just a mall; it’s a destination, drawing locals and tourists alike to Houston’s Uptown district.
Yet, for all its grandeur, The Galleria isn’t the country’s largest. That title belongs to the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota, which dwarfs its Texan counterpart with a jaw-dropping 5.6 million square feet of space and 520 stores and restaurants. The Mall of America even features a Nickelodeon theme park, making it a family-friendly attraction as much as a shopping center. Still, The Galleria’s position as the biggest in the Lone Star State is a point of pride for Houston, and its continued popularity flies in the face of the so-called “retail apocalypse.”
While massive, enclosed malls of the 1980s and 1990s have seen some decline across the country—thanks in part to the rise of online shopping and the popularity of open-air retail centers—Houston’s major malls have proven remarkably resilient. The Galleria’s continued success is proof that, in Texas, bigger often still means better.
But Houston’s retail scene isn’t just about maintaining the status quo. Over on the city’s northwest side, Willowbrook Mall is undergoing a transformation of its own. As of August 9, 2025, the mall is preparing for major additions that reflect the changing face of American retail. According to the Houston Chronicle and official Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation listings, two headline-grabbing tenants are set to join Willowbrook’s lineup: Irish fashion brand Primark and the family entertainment complex Round1.
Primark, a Dublin-based retailer known for its affordable and trendy clothing for women, men, and kids, as well as beauty products, home goods, and accessories, is scheduled to open at Willowbrook in early 2026. The company, which began in 1969 under the Penneys brand, now operates 460 stores worldwide. Its arrival in Houston marks only its second Texas location—the first being in McAllen—with additional stores planned for Katy, Grapevine, and El Paso. The Willowbrook Primark will occupy an anchor position near Dillards and Nordstrom, signaling the brand’s confidence in Houston’s retail market.
Round1 Bowling and Arcade, meanwhile, is slated to open its doors at Willowbrook in fall 2025. The entertainment complex, which originated in Japan in 2008 and opened its first U.S. location in Los Angeles in 2010, is known for its wide array of arcade games—more than 100 Japanese crane games alone—as well as bowling lanes, recreational games, and casual dining. What’s generating particular buzz is that this Willowbrook location will be the first in Texas to feature a “spo-cha” area, short for sports-challenge, offering visitors a chance to try their hand at a variety of athletic activities. As the company’s official social media post put it, "Get ready HOUSTON! Round1 is coming to the Willowbrook Mall! We're bringing the thrills PLUS our first-ever Spo-cha location in Texas!"
These new arrivals come as Willowbrook Mall navigates the ongoing churn that defines modern retail. Earlier this year, the mall lost its Forever 21 store, which closed due to the company’s bankruptcy. The closure, which the company attributed to rising costs and increased competition from abroad, left a noticeable gap between Nordstrom and Macy’s Men’s Store, and so far, mall management has not announced what will take its place.
Despite this setback, Willowbrook has continued to attract new tenants and invest in existing ones. Recent additions include a remodel of the LensCrafters eyewear store, the opening of accessory line Tous, Sunglass Time, Doc Popcorn snack stand, and the Sips kiosk. According to Ali Phillips, a representative with Brookfield Properties, these changes are part of a broader effort to keep Willowbrook vibrant and appealing to shoppers of all ages.
Willowbrook Mall, located at 2000 Willowbrook Mall off Texas 249, is a one-level shopping center anchored by Macy’s, Dillard’s, JCPenney, Dick’s Sporting Goods, and Nordstrom. Owned by Brookfield Properties, it’s long been a staple of northwest Houston, offering a mix of shops and restaurants that cater to the area’s diverse population. For the annual Tax-Free Weekend, which ran through Sunday, August 10, 2025, the mall even extended its hours—opening from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday—to accommodate the back-to-school rush and give shoppers more time to snag deals.
Houston’s malls are clearly adapting to survive—and even thrive—in a retail environment that’s anything but predictable. The addition of international brands like Primark, alongside innovative entertainment offerings like Round1, points to a strategy that goes beyond just selling goods. Malls are betting that experiences—whether it’s trying on the latest European fashions or challenging friends to a game of bowling—can keep people coming back, even as online shopping continues to grow.
It’s a gamble, but one that seems well-suited to Houston’s go-big-or-go-home ethos. The Galleria’s enduring dominance and Willowbrook’s willingness to reinvent itself both reflect a city that’s not afraid to embrace change while holding onto what makes it unique. As the retail world keeps spinning, Houston’s malls are determined not just to keep up, but to lead the way—one super-sized shopping spree at a time.
