This is one area where local Government should be stepping up and taking a stand and trying to help. The Mall is going to be losing one of the major anchor stores, in Sears, so you know that's got to hurt. I don't know for sure but I've also heard that the increase in rent/lease charges is the main reason that Morrison's Cafeteria decided to leave the mall and yes it seems that many people make the same mistake or error. Consider the building where Homeside restaurant was located off Cloverdale Road the building had the restaurant in the rear and a cowboy type business in the front and now both are gone and from what I hear account of the owner of the building wanting to increase their rent by so much.
Another example was, from what I hear, is where Monkeying Around was located in the old Winn Dixie shopping center. The people there wanted to maintain a store there but the owner raised the rent too high for them to stay and now I see some gym type outfit is coming in. There's not too good of a history with gym type places it also seems.
As for Best Buy I doubt that they could take over a store the size that Sear's had because the rent there would be much higher also but I hope that they would not completely leave the area. There is also going to be (it seems) a retail location adjacent to the new Academy Sports building. I suppose Business owners or landlords do have their right to charge what they want given the market but if their poor decisions end up taking them down then I'm totally against anyone in City Government bailing them out with taxpayer money which is what I bet a lot of them bank on.
I hate to see Best Buy go out and for the reason that it seems they are leaving for but you can't blame Best Buy if that's the reason for they are also making business decisions for their own good.