Some consultants say European land-use commissions are often dominated by people determined to preserve the small local retailer, often making it impossible for developers to build American-style malls.

Its American-style malls are still bustling, its dreary boulevards still teeming with luxury cars and jewelry-laden women.

As the westernization of Indonesia took off in the 1990s, California Fried Chicken took advantage of the growth of American-style malls in the country, reaching 90 by 1998.

Significant sources of revenue include duty-free designer shopping outlets, and the American-style malls: Micronesia Mall, Guam Premier Outlets, the Agana Shopping Center, and the world's largest Kmart.

Urbanization and Americanization of Salvadoran culture has also led to the abundance of American-style malls, stores, and restaurants in the three main urban areas, especially greater San Salvador.

Arndale Centres were the first "American-style" malls to be built in the United Kingdom.

Yet while store shelves around the world groan with American-made or -inspired goods sold increasingly in American-style malls, the American custom of dumping undesired gifts is a far less universal export.

Privately, however, many small shopkeepers grumbled that longer hours would raise labor costs without increasing sales - and even give rise to American-style malls.

They are part of Mr. Bhattacharjee's unorthodox effort to create a "new Calcutta" of software parks, factories and American-style malls whose development will be an example for the rest of India.

He also has encouraged investors to open glistening American-style malls, where young middle-class Indians buy Levi's jeans and Nike sneakers.