These haunting photos reveal the retail apocalypse ripping through America

Perhaps most emblematic of the retail apocalypse are photos of dead malls.

As customers increasingly shop online, malls are suffering the consequences.

Chicago's Lincoln Mall transformed from a vibrant shopping center into an eerie, deserted wasteland after it closed in 2015.

Source: Chicago Tribune

Rolling Acres Mall in Akron, Ohio, which became famous for its decline after it closed in 2013, is reportedly going to be redeveloped by Amazon

Source: Akron Beacon Journal/Ohio.com

Read more: Inside the infamous dead mall that Amazon is reportedly redeveloping

Even malls that are still technically open are seeing the impact of the retail apocalypse.

Regency Square Mall in Richmond, Virginia, attempted to cover up store closings by installing vending machines in boarded-up walls in 2017.

Walking into some struggling brands' stores instantly highlights problems.

Visiting a JCPenney in Richmond, Virginia, revealed empty shelves, messy displays, and abandoned cash registers — leaving little question as to why sales were slumping.

Read more: We went to JCPenney to see why sales are sinking — and it revealed why giant mall-based department stores are dying

Even before the company declared bankruptcy in 2018, Sears was hit with plummeting sales and dwindling inventory.

With hundreds of stores closing, many Sears locations are simply trying to get rid of whatever products they have in stock.

Kmart, which merged with Sears in 2005, has been criticized for its similarly disorganized stores.

Payless filed for bankruptcy in February and is planning to close roughly 2,500 stores.

A visit to a San Francisco, California, location revealed outdated styles and dull shoe displays.

Read more: We went shopping at Payless 3 days after it filed for bankruptcy for the second time in 2 years — and it's clear why the store is dying

Mattress Firm filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in early October 2018.

The retailer announced plans to close more than 200 locations.

Other stores have already been forced to close all locations.

Toys R Us completed the process of liquidating all of its 735 US locations following an unsuccessful attempt to restructure the business through bankruptcy in 2018.

Toys R Us won't be the last retailer that dies as the retail apocalypse rips through the US.

At least 16 major US retailers filed for bankruptcy or announced liquidations in 2018, including Claire's, Nine West, and The Bon-Ton Stores

Payless, Gymboree, and Charlotte Russe are among the companies that have filed for bankruptcy and announced full or partial liquidations so far in 2019.