Jigsaw opens at McArthurGlen's Cheshire Oak Designer Outlet

by Laurie Stocks-Moore, Ellesmere Port Pioneer

TWO more stores have joined the ever-expanding collection of shops at McArthurGlen’s Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet.

The additions bring the total number of stores at the centre to 145, leaving it well placed to enter 2012 maintaining the crown of the largest designer outlet in the UK.

International designer fashion label Hugo Boss and British womenswear brand Jigsaw opened their doors to Christmas shoppers in recent weeks, with both brands, offering shoppers savings of up to 60%, all year round.

Colin Wilding, McArthurGlen UK country manager and Cheshire Oaks centre manager, said: “2011 has been a fantastic year for new store openings at McArthurGlen’s Cheshire Oaks, with more than 14 new brands, including Armani, Mamas and Papas, Gant, Reiss and Wolford joining the centre.

“With the addition of Hugo Boss and Jigsaw, we’re ending the year on a real high, with the introduction of two renowned brands that perfectly complement our broad, and unrivalled, fashion offer.”

Hugo Boss sells a wide range of men’s formalwear and casual clothing.

The Jigsaw outlet, which is the first in the North West for the brand, will stock womenswear, accessories and junior fashion, as well as items from the Kew.159 collection.

Lineberger Cancer Center Receives Holiday Donation From Tanger Outlets

Anne Brenner Reporting - Chapelboro.com

CHAPEL HILL-Last week, Tanger Outlets in Mebane presented a special Christmas gift to the UNC Lineberger Cancer Center.

“We had the pleasure of donating $11,220.83 to the Lineberger Center,” says Tanger outlets General Manager Kathy Hackshaw.

The check was presented last Thursday to UNC Lineberger Cancer Center Associate Director Dr. Lisa Carey. Tanger Outlets raised the funds as part of a recent drive to benefit three different cancer beneficiaries; overall the effort raised $36,000.

Carey says the funds will go toward cancer research, specifically in the battle against breast cancer. Carey says even though the medical community has made several strides in reducing breast cancer’s death rate, doctors are still working on ways to make sufferers more comfortable during treatment.

“It’s one of the most common cancers to affect women, but the truth is, nowadays, 80 percent of women with breast cancer are cured,” she says. “Our challenge now is helping the other 20 percent and to help that 80 percent not just be cured, but live better.”

Since 1994, Tanger has raised more than $10 million nationwide to benefit cancer research. Hackshaw says Tanger is already planning to have another local cancer fundraiser for next year.

Kooples open in McArtherGlen's York designer outlet centre

source: fashionunited.co.uk

French fashion brand The Kooples has opened its first UK outlet store. Located at McArthurGlen's York designer outlet centre, the 1286 sq ft store is positioned alongside Aquascutum, Gieves and Hawkes and LK Bennett.

The brand founded in Paris in 2008 by three French brothers, targets men and women with its vintage-inspired tailored fashion and has 194 stores in Europe; and over the past year, the brand has opened seven stores in the UK.

A spokesperson at The Kooples, said: "Since launching in the UK we have opened 27 shops, however our store at McArthurGlen’s York Designer Outlet not only marks our first step into outlet retailing, it’s also our first store in Yorkshire and the surrounding area. By sitting alongside other leading designer and high street brands at McArthurGlen’s York we’re able to reach over 3.5 million shoppers a year with an appetite for premium, on-trend fashion.”

Snooki at Allen Premium Outlets

By Conner Hammett, chammett@acnpapers.com Published: Wednesday, December 21, 2011 5:45 PM CST - Star Local News.com

Between 600 and 800 fans of the show lined up outside Perfumania for a chance to meet Nicole Polizzi, better known as "Snooki" to fans, who was there to promote her new, self-titled fragrance and "Confessions of a Guidette," her autobiography.

The Allen stop was the last of a five-city tour of Perfumania stores undertaken by Polizzi. Buzz was high for the event, which was promoted on the pop radio station 106.1 KISS FM and through social media outlets such as the Perfumania and Snooki Twitter pages.

The first two fans in line, Katherine Barnes and Jordan Blackman, both 18, drove from Mansfield to meet Polizzi. The pair arrived at the store at noon and waited five hours to have their photo taken with the reality star.

"I love Snooki" Barnes said. "I called [Jordon] and said 'I hope you know we're driving to Allen'"

Samantha McCarver of Kemp was also waiting in line before Polizzi's arrival. She said she drove an hour and a half to meet the celebrity.

"I fell in love with her on the first season of Jersey Shore and I'm still in love with her, and I always will be," she said.

Carol Whittington, district manager for the Allen Perfumania store, said the crowds, bright lights and DJ-powered music almost gave the store a club vibe when the doors finally opened for Polizzi's appearance.

"There were really good responses," Whittington said. "We had people crying, people getting their cell phones signed, their tummies signed. It was kind of crazy, but very, very positive."

Whittington said the Allen store was chosen as the location for the event because of its high level of customer traffic.

"Allen's an up and coming area. I love it," she said. "Out of 150 stores in our region, it's the highest volume. We have a great mall management. We really wanted to put Allen on the top out there for everyone to see."

Whittington said the biggest impression Polizzi made on her was the level of dedication she had to her fans, making sure to meet as many of them as possible.

"I know that's one thing she was passionate about walking into the door, was meeting every one of her fans," Whittington said. "Although she does have that public persona, it's not really encompassing of all that she is."

City wants $300,000 from Factory Merchants Outlets

source News-Leader.com

Branson aldermen will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday to reconsider taking ownership of buildings at Factory Merchants Branson, often called "the red-roof" mall.

Aldermen initially met Monday, but postponed a decision because they said they needed more information about future costs to the city, such as maintenance and insurance.

Under terms of a substitute bill, Simon Property Group, owner of the mall, would pay the city $300,000 at closing, which is scheduled to occur no later than Jan. 5. Additional language was added to clarify tenant leases. The city estimates its annual property and liability insurance rates will increase by $5,000 to $7,000 a year.

Simon Property asked the city, which already owns the land, to take ownership of the mall so Simon can concentrate its resources on its other Branson property, The Shoppes at Branson Meadows mall.

The contract includes a six-month management agreement with Simon to help existing tenants find new locations. There are 34 tenants, including kiosks, according to city Economic Development Director Garrett Anderson.

The meeting will be held in the council chambers at City Hall. If aldermen approve the contract, it will still need a second vote to take effect. That vote would likely occur at 6 p.m. Dec. 29, also in the City Council chambers.

Simon Property leases the land -- once part of a city airport -- from the city for about $129,000 a year. The lease was set to expire in 2021.

City officials have not determined what they would do with the property once all the tenants are out. However, discussions have ranged from more retail development to ball fields.

Sears closing up to 120 stores

By Phil WahbaTue Dec 27, 2011 6:46pm EST

(Reuters) - Sears Holdings Corp will close as many as 120 of its Kmart and Sears discount and department stores after its holiday sales slumped, sending its shares sliding more than 27 percent to their lowest level in three years.

The retailer, which is controlled by its chairman, the hedge fund manager Edward Lampert, has seen sales decline every year since the $11 billion merger of the two chains in 2005, and likely faces further closings to cut expenses, preserve cash and push back against rivals such as Wal-Mart Stores Inc and Amazon.com Inc, analysts said.

Sears also disclosed on Tuesday that it tapped its credit line to borrow cash and forecast that fourth-quarter earnings would fall by more than half.

Under Lampert, the company, once one of the most successful U.S. retailers with a history going back to 1886, has let stores deteriorate, said analysts, who also faulted poor locations and ho-hum merchandise for its ongoing problems.

"They've neglected this business for so long," independent retail analyst Brian Sozzi said, adding that he expects more closings. "They are letting Kmart and Sears die on the vine."

In a memo to staff obtained by Reuters, Chief Executive Lou D'Ambrosio, who took the job in February, blamed the economy for some of Sears' problems but acknowledged "we also did not execute with the consistency or speed necessary" in areas under Sears' control. "We will do better," he continued.

But Credit Suisse analyst Gary Balter is not so sure. "We do not see how they dig out of these problems," he wrote in a client note.

Same-store sales at Kmart were down 4.4 percent in the eight weeks that ended Christmas Day, and down 6 percent at Sears' U.S. stores. Overall, they were down 5.2 percent compared with the same period a year ago.

The closings follow Sears' announcement last quarter it would shut 10 stores. Kmart and Sears have a combined 2,177 big-box locations.

A list of stores affected will be available at www.searsmedia.com once the retailer decides on the locations.

The declines at Kmart were led by drops in electronics and clothing sales as the low-price chain, founded in 1962, faced stiff competition from a resurgent Wal-Mart which resumed its layaway program this year to make it easier for low income shoppers to make purchases by paying in installments.

Kmart has found itself squeezed between Wal-Mart's low prices and Target's trendier offerings, while Sears has faced more intense competition for electronics and lower prices, and less demand for household appliances.

Sears blamed electronics sales for more than half of the decline in its namesake chain's domestic same-store holiday sales.

Sears' shares finished the day down 27.2 percent at $33.38, their lowest level since December 2008, and have fallen 65 percent since a 52-week high in February.

At the current stock price, Sears Holdings -- home to brands including Craftsman tools and Kenmore appliances -- has a value of $3.57 billion.

The value of Lampert and his hedge fund's stake in the company has plunged nearly 75 percent to $2.25 billion since 2005, when his holdings were worth around $8.5 billion. The stake was worth as much as $12.7 billion in April 2007.

The drop in shares is also a big blow for fund manager Bruce Berkowitz's Fairholme Capital, Sears' second-biggest shareholder with 15.2 percent. Fairholme's stake was worth about $570 million on

Tuesday, a potential loss of almost $180 million since the end of the third quarter.

Sears' problems also hit shares of appliance maker Whirlpool Corp, which last year derived 8 percent of sales through the retailer. Whirlpool shares fell 8.9 percent to close at $46.62.

FALLING FURTHER BEHIND
Sears' empire was once so sprawling that it owned everything from a radio station (WLS in Chicago) to Allstate Insurance Co and Coldwell Banker Real Estate Group.

But now the chain, founded in Chicago 125 years ago, acknowledges it has to downsize. Its standard practice in the past would have been to give weak stores time to improve, but the economy is too tough to do that this time, Sears said.

Sozzi, the analyst, went to a Sears in Bayshore, New York, on Monday, one of the busiest days of the retail season, and said it was "deserted." At the northern end of the state, in Plattsburgh, a Sears was similarly quiet.

Wall Street analysts have long faulted Sears for letting its stores become stale, even as rivals ranging from Macy's Inc and J.C. Penney Co Inc to Target Corp and Wal-Mart remodeled and spruced up their stores.

Last fiscal year, Macy's spent $505 million to improve its namesake and Bloomingdale's stores, while Sears spent $441 million despite having more than three times as many stores.
Sears is "effectively asking customers to pay for a poorer shopping environment", Credit Suisse's Balter said.

Balter was also surprised that Sears would borrow money during the holidays, which are typically a peak cash flow period. Sears had $483 million of borrowings outstanding as of December 23, compared with zero a year earlier.

As of October 29, Sears had cash and cash equivalents of $624 million, down from $790 million a year earlier.

Sears Holdings said the lower sales and margin pressure would lead to adjusted fourth-quarter earnings before interest, debt and amortization of less than half of the year-ago quarter's $933 million figure.

The retailer expects to earn $140 million to $170 million by selling off inventory in affected stores and selling or subleasing store space.

Sears also expects to record a noncash charge of $1.6 billion to $1.8 billion in the fourth quarter related to a valuation allowance on certain deferred tax assets.

(Reporting by Phil Wahba in New York, additional reporting by Michael Erman, Dhanya Skariachan and Katya Wachtel in New York and Supantha Mukherjee in Bangalore; Editing by Maureen Bavdek, Tim Dobbyn and Matthew Lewis)

Premium Outlets After Holiday Sales

Merry Christmas

The Little Drummer Boy

Armed robbery at Wrentham Premium Outlets

BY DAVID LINTON and STEPHEN PETERSON SUN CHRONICLE STAFF

WRENTHAM — A pistol-wielding robber hid in a high-end fashion store at the Wrentham Village Premium Outlets until closing time Tuesday night, before tying up the four employees and robbing the store of about $15,000, police said this morning.

The robbery was reported around 9:20 p.m. at the Guess Factory Store after the employees, all of whom duct-taped and forced into a fitting room, waited until the robber left and freed themselves. One employee was taken to Caritas Norwood Hospital with minor injuries, Detective Lt. Bill McGrath said.

The robber was seen earlier lingering in the store around the 9 p.m. closing time, McGrath said.

“He may have hidden himself in the store until they were in the process of closing the store,” McGrath said, adding that the store is one of the larger stores in the mall on South Street (Route 1A).

The robber displayed a handgun and duct-taped employees' mouths and feet before forcing them at gunpoint into a fitting room. One of the employees was forced to open the cash drawers for him before that worker was ordered into the room with the others, the detective said. The robber was alone in the store but it is not known if he had someone waiting outside to help him escape, McGrath said.

The investigation is continuing and police are trying to determine if there is any security videotape available to help them identify a suspect, McGrath said.

The robber was identified as a black male in his mid 20s of average height and build. he was wearing a black baseball cap and a black puffy-style jacket at the time of the robbery.

Police searched the mall area and notified surrounding communities but no suspects were found. Plainville and Norfolk police assisted.

State police crime scene investigators were called to the mall.

Armed robbery at Tanger Outlets in Lancaster

By RYAN ROBINSON - Lancasteronline

A manager was robbed at gunpoint after closing a Tanger Outlets store Tuesday night, East Lampeter Township police reported.

The woman closed the Yankee Candle store along Stanley K. Tanger Boulevard at 10 p.m., township police Lt. Robin Weaver said.

She had exited the store through the front door and was walking to her car in a parking lot behind the building when a robber approached and called out to her, Weaver said. The store manager quickly got into her car and locked its doors.

"Then the guy pointed a gun at her and told her to open the door," Weaver said. "She did and he grabbed her purse and ran off."

He fled west from the scene on foot, Weaver said.

Lancaster city police and a tracking canine helped township police search for the robber, but he was not found.

The store manager was not injured, Weaver said.

Loss was limited to her purse and its contents, he said. She did not have any money from the store at the time.

The robber was described as a black man in his 20s, about 5 feet 8 inches tall and 130 pounds, he said. He was wearing a gray and black knit hat and a hooded sweatshirt.

Tanger still considering Westgate City outlet center

by Rebekah L. Sanders - Dec. 14, 2011 06:07 AM The Arizona Republic

Tanger Factory Outlet Centers Inc. appears to still be considering plans to build at Westgate City Center, a project that would energize the struggling area with new customers, according to city and outside sources.

Glendale officials declined to comment. A message left with Tanger CEO Steven Tanger was not returned.

Charlie Dunlap, who is asset manager for the investors who own a portion of Westgate, said decisions on big changes to the parcel and its management are expected to be made by the end of the year.

"Right now everything is kind of in limbo. We're in some negotiations that will determine what the direction is in the development," Dunlap said. "I really can't comment on those because I'm not part of them ... But I think all the changes planned are going to be great."

When asked whether Tanger was moving forward with the project, including working on a site application to Glendale, Dunlap said he isn't directly involved because "those (negotiations ) are between the lender and Tanger."

The North Carolina-based outlet developer announced plans for a major shopping center in the West Valley earlier this year.

Initial talks were to locate the outlet mall at the undeveloped Algodon Center near Loop 101 and Camelback Road in Phoenix but the company pulled out last spring, citing lack of interest from tenants. In May, former Westgate developer the Ellman Cos. announced it had opened talks with Tanger to relocate just a few miles north.

Little was heard about the project through the summer and fall, as the Ellman Cos. lost most of Westgate to foreclosure.

Two major lenders took over different parts of the property and have been working to pump up business.

The investment firm iStar Financial now owns the developed portion of Westgate that boasts shops, restaurants and a movie theater. The undeveloped portion, where the Tanger outlet may go, is controlled by CCD Equity Partners LLC, an investor group previously represented by Credit Suisse.

The Tanger outlet would have "natural synergy" with the Westgate shopping and entertainment core that surrounds Jobing.com Arena, said Jeff Teetsel, asset manager for iStar Financial.

Teetsel said he's generally aware of the talks, but is not directly involved. "It's potentially very complementary with Westgate and could further enhance the visitors and traffic flow to this intersection," he said. "We're watching it as a supportive neighbor."

Dunlap, of real-estate firm RRA Cos., the asset manager for CCD Equity Partners, said he has high hopes for Westgate's future.

"It's going to be a major draw," he said. "It's a shame because what happened there, it was a perfect storm. You had the economy go to pot. You had the confusion of whether the Coyotes are going to stay or not. ... The previous owner just didn't have enough income to do the things to turn it around because the economy went south on him and the opportunities withered up. Now that we've got lenders in place who are committed to success, I think it's going to be a tremendous asset to the entire community."

He said CCD Equity Partners has the resources to make Westgate successful.

The Republic obtained a draft site plan for a Tanger outlet development dated Nov. 15, which closely match project details announced by the Ellman Cos. last spring. It's unclear whether other, different drafts exist.

A site plan is a map of what the developer intends to build and is submitted through a site application to the city, one of the first steps to gaining construction approval. The draft map has not been filed with the city, and could go through changes before Tanger submits it.

The draft places the outlet mall at the southeast corner of Loop 101 and Glendale Avenue.

The draft shows the outlet center could wrap around the few buildings that currently exist alongside dirt lots on 95th Avenue, like My Big Fat Greek Restaurant and Bananas Ranas, and stop before the Hampton Inn & Suites.

The draft drawing, prepared by the frequent Tanger architecture firm Adams and Associates, notes construction could occur in two phases, with the majority of the project completed in the first phase.

No timing was given on the draft.

The project would bring relief to a corner of Westgate that can be overlooked by visitors.

"We couldn't be more excited and happy about it," said Ashley Young, manager at My Big Fat Greek Restaurant, who said she heard about the outlet center some time ago but hadn't heard any updates.
Tanger Factory Outlet Centers Inc.

The closest Tanger outlet to Arizona, in Barstow, Calif., features brands such as Banana Republic, Coach, Gap, Michael Kors, Reebok and Tommy Hilfiger.

Another one is planned in Scottsdale at Loop 101 and Indian Bend Road near the Talking Stick Resort.

Two other new outlet malls are proposed in the Valley.

Macerich Inc., parent of Phoenix-area mall developer Westcor, has teamed with Florida's AWE Talisman Co. to build the Fashion Outlets of Scottsdale, a 350,000-square-foot project at Scottsdale Road and Loop 101.

Simon Property Group's Premium Outlets division plans to build a 360,000-square-foot mall, called the Phoenix Premium Outlets, adjacent the Wild House Pass Hotel & Casino near Interstate 10 and Loop 202.

Armed Robbery at Gilroy Premium Outlets

by Gilroy Dispatch

Two masked suspects armed with handguns held up employees at a Gilroy Premium Outlets store early Friday morning, making off with an undisclosed amount of cash, according to the Gilroy Police Department.

As two workers at the Gap store on San Ysidro Avenue closed up shop around 1:30 a.m., two suspects wearing ski masks brandished their weapons at the employees, forcing them back into the store and stealing money from a safe, police said. The suspects were described as between 5-feet-5 and 5-feet-8-inches tall with slim builds, GPD Sgt. Chad Gallacinao said. Along with their black ski masks, the suspects donned black hooded sweatshirts and dark pants, Gallacinao said.

He said the store employees were not injured.

Residents concerned about National Harbor Outlets

by Mimi Liu - Gazette.net

 The developer of a planned retail outlet on Oxon Hill Road across from National Harbor plans to build a 75-room hotel at the site, a decision that doesn’t sit well with some Fort Washington area residents who worry nearby roads can’t handle traffic from the outlets, and a hotel would aggravate the problem.

Andre Gingles, an attorney for the developer, Fairfax, Va.-based Peterson Cos., unveiled a conceptual site plan of the proposed 80-store Tanger Outlets on Monday to Fort Washington-area residents at a public meeting at Indian Queen Elementary School.

Representatives for the Peterson Cos. will present the plan Jan. 12 to the Prince George’s County Planning Board on the first floor of the County Administration Building in Upper Marlboro.

The outlet center will occupy about 350,000 square feet on a 40-acre site with an entrance from Oxon Hill Road, which extends from Md. Route 414 west of the Capital Beltway to Indian Head Highway/Md. Route 210.

But residents say a single entrance to the outlet centers will not be enough to cope with added traffic, even with improvements slated for Oxon Hill Road.

Fort Washington resident Valerie Walker, who lives off Fort Foote Road, said she was shocked and upset that Peterson Cos. was not going to include an entrance to the outlet from Route 210 to alleviate traffic into the outlet centers from the two-lane Oxon Hill Road.

“That’s crazy,” she said. “It’s not gonna work. The traffic on Oxon Hill Road is going to be more congested than it is now. There needs to be some type of overpass or something built that will lead from the expressway right into the outlet.”

Walker said she has nothing against a retail outlet being built.

“I love Tanger,” she said. “I’ve been to three or four different Tanger outlets, but this is just not gonna work.”

Some improvements are planned on Oxon Hill Road next year to alleviate traffic and safety issues, including a project expected to begin next spring to add bike lanes and sidewalks on both sides of Oxon Hill Road in a 2.5-mile stretch from just south of National Harbor to Fort Foote Elementary School, said Susan Hubbard, a spokeswoman for the county’s Department of Public Works and Transportation.

Fort Washington resident Elizabeth Price, 65, who supports having the outlets, said she would have rather seen a community center or sports complex for children built on the site instead of a hotel.
“We don’t need any more hotels,” she said. “We’ve already got the Clarion Hotel and the Red Roof Inn [on Oxon Hill Road] and the hotels at National Harbor.”

Rafiq Munir, president of the South Potomac Citizens Association, who hosted Monday’s meeting, said he likes the idea of having a retail outlet center to spur economic development in southern Prince George’s County, but not at the expense of the residents’ quality of life.

“The communities in the immediate area are going to bear the brunt,” he said. “[The developers and county officials] need to mitigate the impact as much as possible.”

Gingles said Peterson hopes to have approval for the construction of the entire outlet project finalized by mid-2012, with construction starting in summer 2012 and a projected opening date by Memorial Day or Labor Day 2013.

The outlet center, expected to bring nearly 900 jobs to the area, will have at least one restaurant in addition to several eateries, a loading/unloading area for tour destination buses, and more than 1,000 parking spaces, Gingles said.

He said the stores at the Tanger Outlets, which have not been confirmed, will be similar to those offered at Hagerstown Premium Outlets and Leesburg Corner Premium Outlets in Leesburg, Va., attracting visitors from outside Prince George’s and the state.

“Shopping is a big thing that people tend to want to do during conferences and conventions [at the National Harbor],” he said. “The outlet will be a great way for retailers to make dollars and for customers to pick up merchandise at low prices.”

Gingles said under Tanger’s policies, new construction projects will not begin until at least 50 percent of tenants have committed to the lease.

Peterson, who is the developer of National Harbor, is also building a new Walmart a mile from National Harbor and the outlets. The Walmart will be built at the intersection of Oxon Hill Road and Route 210, next to the Clarion Hotel, and is expected to be completed around the same time as the outlet center.

JCPenny returning to Franklin Mills

Philadelphia Business Journal by Peter Van Allen

JCPenney will make a return to the Franklin Mills mall in Philadelphia — this time as a full-line store.

Last January the retailer said it would close 19 outlet stores, including its Franklin Mills location.

In March, it will open a 100,000-square-foot store in the same space, the mall said. It will have an updated design and an assortment of professional-and-lifestyle attire for men, women and children.

J.C. Penney Co. Inc. (NYSE:JCP), which is based in Plano, Tex., has 1,100 JCPenney stores and annual sales of $17.8 billion.

Franklin Mills, which is owned by Indianapolis-based Simon Property Group    (NYSE:SPG), has 200 outlets and what it calls “value retail” stores, including Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH, Last Call by Neiman Marcus, Polo Ralph Lauren Factory Store, Nike Factory Store, Kenneth Cole Outlet Store, Guess Factory Store and others.

Food Network Star opens restaurant in Tanger Outlets

by WSAV.com

It was a star-studded night at the Tanger Outlets in Bluffton as Food Network chef Robert Irvine unveiled his new culinary addition to the lowcountry "Nosh." Irvine says it's important for him to help grow the local economy.

"I'm from South Carolina via the south of England, but what's important to me in the lowcountry is that we have jobs, we can support the charities that are around here, and that people have money, the charities have money, said Irvine."

"Nosh" is the second restaurant Irvine has opened here in the lowcountry, the first is "Eat." He says that South Carolina and its residents are close to his heart.

"There's just a different vibe about South Carolina, the lowcountry has some of the most amazing places, amazing people and amazing food."

And Tanger Outlets manager LaDonna Shamlou thinks this new addition will bring in more foot traffic.

"He has a huge following, I'm a huge fan myself, and we've had numerous phone calls about it and people very excited, so I think it's really going to add a lot to our center here and we're really excited to have him as a partner."

And for Irvine, he hopes his celebrity status will bring in more tourists and more dollars for the lowcountry.

"South Carolina's visited by many many millions of people anyway, but if they've got an added attraction to come here and say I ate at Robert Irvine's "Eat" or "Nosh," great! But as long as they come here, are spending their dollars here, theyre not going anywhere else, we don't care."

Woodstock GA approves new outlet center

WOODSTOCK, Ga., Dec. 13, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Horizon Group Properties, Inc. (HGPI) (OTC:HGPI.PK) announced that the Woodstock, GA City Council unanimously voted to approve a new outlet shopping center in Woodstock, Georgia. The 365,000 square foot factory outlet shopping center is being developed by Horizon Group Properties and will include many of the best names in the factory outlet industry. It will be located at the intersection of Ridgewalk Parkway and I 575.

"We are excited that Horizon Group selected our community to locate a project of this economic significance," said Mayor Donnie Henriques of The City of Woodstock. "We believe that The Outlet Shoppes will draw shoppers from a large region adding to the local municipalities' employment and tax base."

Horizon Group is planning for construction on the project to begin in the first half of 2012 creating approximately 1,000 construction jobs. When the center is fully open and operational 1,200 permanent jobs and 1,600 seasonal holiday jobs are projected to be created.

"We are impressed with the thoroughness and professionalism the Mayor, Council Members and staff from Woodstock has demonstrated during the review and approval of The Outlet Shoppes," said Gary J. Skoien, chief executive officer of Horizon Group Properties.

The center will generate more than $130 million in annual sales which would generate $3 million of sales and property taxes for the City of Woodstock and combined taxes for the City, Cherokee County and the Schools of $34 million over the next 10 years.

More details about the project including other amenities and entertainment choices at the center will be released as the project commences construction.

Ralph Lauren brand stays on message

By MOREY STETTNER Posted 12/09/2011 02:24 PM ET - Investors.com

The best chain stores deliver a predictable consistency. It's comforting to know that wherever you go, a familiar retailer will fulfill your expectations.

That's a key reason for Ralph Lauren's (RL) success. The New York-based company operates about 374 stores worldwide that reflect the founder's image and offer a reassuringly consistent shopping experience. Every product seeks to convey a slice of the American dream based on a storybook narrative of good taste and style.

"At Ralph Lauren, there's an enormous focus on and dedication to the brand message," said Faye Landes, managing director at Consumer Edge Research, an equity research firm in Stamford, Conn.

"It emanates from the top, from Ralph Lauren himself."

In addition to full-price Ralph Lauren stores, the firm directly operates Club Monaco, Polo factory stores and Rugby. It also runs more than 500 concession shops and works with international licensing partners who operate other stores.

Two Strong Leaders

Landes, who has visited dozens of Ralph Lauren retail locations, is always struck by the firm's allegiance to its brand message. Every detail in its stores reinforces the 72-year-old founder's lifestyle vision.

"I've never caught them in a slip and I've been in their stores all over the world," she said. "Everyone in every store is always on the same page. They all believe in the brand message."

She credits the corporate leadership for embedding brand awareness in the workforce. With about 24,000 employees, the challenge is instilling a culture that staffers embrace.

Many employees admire Ralph Lauren, chairman and chief executive, and Roger Farah, president and chief operating officer, Landes says.

On a visit to a Polo outlet store, Landes recalls a salesperson telling her, "When Roger Farah comes in, we love seeing him."

"Both Ralph Lauren and Roger Farah are very hands-on in a good sense," Landes said. They relate well to employees and motivate them to uphold the brand identity.

Brand Ambassadors

The firm's advertising, store design and online presence also advance the brand. In retail locations, shoppers rarely see "jumbled-up bins" or other signs of disarray, Landes says. The products — from clothes to bedding to paint — tend to embody the same clean, classic image.

"In the stores, employees wear Ralph Lauren clothes and they wear them well," she added. "They're excellent ambassadors for the brand, and they're very pleasant and service-oriented."

Despite building his company over 44 years into an international fashion powerhouse, Lauren remains approachable and humble. As the press-shy trendsetter recently admitted to Oprah Winfrey in an interview at New York City's Lincoln Center, "I'm scared every day." He added that he keeps his old clothes "because you never know when you're going to need them."

Premium Outlets Last Minute Gift Ideas

Celebrities at Johor Premium Outlets

Shopping frenzy: Chia (left) and Leggett (right) taking pointers from FJ Benjamin CEO Angie Chong on the various branded shops at the Johor Premium Outlets in Kulaijaya yesterday. — ABDUL RAHMAN EMBONG / The Star

by The Star Online

JOHOR BARU: The Johor Premium Outlets (JPO) here is also a hit among celebrities.
Miss Malaysia-Universe Kimberly Leggett, who was among the crowd yesterday, said JPO was a great place, especially for students like herself to shop.

“Even though the items are a season late, there is no compromise in quality and the discounts are just too good to resist,” she said, adding that she was planning to make a second trip to JPO with several friends and her mother soon.


Another celebrity, Deborah Henry, who was also spotted shopping at the outlet, said she was pleasantly surprised as the layout was similar to other Premium Outlets overseas.

“I like the mixture of branded items and the food and beverage areas, which create a pleasant shopping experience,” she said, adding that the layout was also a great way to enjoy the Malaysian weather.
She said that this time around, her main aim was to shop for Christmas presents.

Leggett and Henry had travelled from Kuala Lumpur with fellow celebrities Andrea Fonseka and Amber Chia.

Meanwhile, most of the high-end outlets revealed that they were receiving more than 200 to 300 visitors daily.

Salvatore Ferragamo regional general manager C.S. Fan said the highest accumulated amount in a single receipt that they had issued was about RM5,000.

“We get many local and Singaporean shoppers who are willing to splurge on branded items, buying bags worth RM4,500 and other items as these are cheaper than the latest collections,” she said.

Tanger Announces the Appointment of Chad D. Perry as EVP

Company Release - 12/12/2011 08:30


GREENSBORO, N.C., Dec. 12, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc. (NYSE:SKT) announced today that it has expanded its senior management team by appointing Chad D. Perry, 39, to the newly created position of Executive Vice President and General Counsel. He will report to Steven B. Tanger, President and Chief Executive Officer.

"Mr. Perry's legal background is impressive and demonstrates his value as a trusted business advisor on strategic initiatives including acquisition and development. He will advise our executive management team on legal matters including corporate governance and compliance, and will manage outside counsel relationships and Tanger's in house legal department," stated Steven Tanger.

Mr. Perry brings nearly 15 years of legal experience to Tanger, including both client-based and corporate counsel roles. Most recently he served as Executive Vice President and Deputy General Counsel for LPL Financial Corporation for the past five years. The company, whose shares are traded on the NASDAQ exchange, completed its initial public offering during his tenure. His responsibilities included corporate governance, executive compensation plans, strategic initiatives and public company matters including acquisitions and the development of new business lines. In addition, he managed all related outside counsel relationships.

Prior to LPL, Mr. Perry was Senior Corporate Counsel at EMC Corporation. In this role, he focused on corporate and securities matters, and advised management on potential acquisitions, investments, joint ventures, and the development and implementation of compensation practices.

Mr. Perry started his career in the Boston office of the international law firm Ropes & Gray, where he advised clients on a wide range of corporate transactions and compliance matters. He spent the last three of his eight years with the firm in San Francisco, a new firm office that he helped form.

Currently residing in the Boston area, Mr. Perry and his family will relocate to North Carolina, and he will be based out of Tanger's corporate headquarters office in Greensboro. Mr. Perry graduated from Princeton University with a B.A. and holds a J.D. from Columbia University. He is a member of both the Massachusetts and California bar associations.

Santa Dash at McArthurGlen’s East Midlands Designer Outlet

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PRLog (Press Release) - Dec 09, 2011 -

On Sunday 18th December, McArthurGlen’s East Midlands Designer Outlet will see dozens of speedy Santas hot footing it around the centre at its charity Santa Dash.

Everyone is welcome to come and join in the fun run for just £10 (and £5 for children) to raise money for Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice. Not only will runners be given outfits to dress up as the festive Saint, but will also be contributing to the £2.5million running costs of the charity, which offers care and support to children and young adults with a shortened life expectancy.

As Marks and Spencer’s charity of the year, they have donated £300 worth of Christmas gifts to the hospice and throughout the year have helped them raise more funds through auctions and tombola’s. Santa himself also paid a special visit to the hospice to deliver presents to the children before he travelled on to the McArthurGlen’s East Midlands Christmas tree lights switch on event.

The Santa Dash will be the first ever in aid of Bluebell Wood and will be a 1.1mile circuit around the centre starting at 8.30am. Visitors of all ages are invited to sprint, skip or stroll around the centre and in addition to their Santa outfits, will receive a goody as a ‘thank you’ which includes a 10% discount card to shop at the great range of premium high street and designer brands that are already up to 60% less.

Donna Goodwin, Marketing Manager at McArthurGlen’s East Midlands, says, “The Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice is vital to the North East Midlands community as it is the only hospice in the area that supports children with shortened life expectancy and their families. The Santa Dash will be fun for all the family and should be a laugh for spectators too. Everyone can grab a nice warming treat afterwards from the food court, Starbucks or our newly opened Costa.”

To enter the Santa Dash, call 01909 517365 or go to http://bluebellwoodshop.co.uk/products-page-2/tickets/. Entries have to be made by Monday 12th December.

Dirty Dining: Makino at Las Vegas Premium Outlets

By Daniel Gutierrez -KTNV13

Las Vegas, NV (KTNV) -- A restaurant at a popular valley shopping mall is nearly shut down. Contact 13's Tricia Kean has a look at the long list of violations in our Dirty Dining report.

The restaurant is Makino at the Las Vegas Premium Outlets.

The sushi and seafood buffet on South Grand Central Parkway, near West Charleston Boulevard, was recently slapped with a 40 demerit C grade.

Just one more demerit and the Southern Nevada Health District would have closed the doors to this Japanese restaurant.

Among the issues: food at the wrong temperatures including pork, fish, melon, rice and pasta salad. Numerous foods were not labeled, uncovered or double stacked in the refrigerator. And raw meats were stored over ready to eat foods.

In addition, ice cream containers were covered in frost. The walk-in freezer was leaking and the condenser was covered in ice.

An unlabeled spray bottle was stored over a food prep area. Multiple handsinks were blocked. And the mop sink area was dirty and cluttered with boxes.

Premium Outlets did not allow us on their property.

But Contact 13 did speak with Makino's Manager, Julie Kano, who did not want to go on camera but issued this statement: "Things have been a little messy because the restaurant is going through some remodeling. We are working to fix the issues and get everything back up to code very soon. But we want our customers to know our restaurant and the food are safe." Kano tells us her restaurant has not been re-inspected, but she hopes to schedule that soon.

To watch the news story follow this LINK

Prime Minister opens Johor Premium Outlets

by New Straits Times

JOHOR BAHARU: Johor Premium Outlets (JPO), which was launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak today, is estimated to attract 3 million visitors in its first year of operation.

Najib said he was confident the upscale outlet would not only see an influx of local consumers but also of international visitors from across Southeast Asia and the Middle East.

"I am sure many of our European tourists will also take advantage of the favourable exchange rate and discover that it is more economical for them to buy their goods here," he said at the grand opening of JPO at Kulaijaya near here today.

Najib, who is also the Finance Minister, said Genting Simon Sdn Bhd, the JPO operator, will invest an additional RM100 million to build another 60 shops, bringing the total number of JPO shops to 130.

JPO, the first Premium Outlet megastore in Southeast Asia and the 70th in the world, is a collection of 80 designer and name-brand outlet stores featuring savings of 25 to 65 per cent every day.

Genting Simon is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Simon Genting Ltd, which in turn is a 50:50 joint venture between Genting Plantation's Azzon Ltd and Premium Outlets, the outlet division of Simon Property Group.

The Prime Minister said JPO's future plans include the construction of a water park, convention centre and a 2,000-room hotel, all within the vicinty.

"I am fully excited with the investment," he said at the ceremony which was also attended by Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman, Genting Group chairman Tan Sri K.T. Lim and Premium Outlets president John Klein. 

When annoucing the Budget 2012 earlier this year, Najib said the government wanted to promote Malaysia as a shopping haven in Asia by providing branded goods at competitive prices, adding JPO could do much to help fulfill this vision.

According to the Prime Minister, JPO, located in Iskandar Malaysia, is one of Malaysia's leading tourism projects under the National Key Economic Areas of the Economic Transformation Programme (ETP).

He said under the ETP, Malaysia expects to attract some RM1.4 trillion in investments, create 3.3 million new jobs and achieve a gross national income of RM1.7 trillion by 2020.

Out of the 131 Entry Point Projects (EPP), he said, 72 have taken off within the last 12 months.

With government investment in infrastructure of more than RM6 billion and encompassing over 2,200 sq km, Iskandar Malaysia is the largest single development project to be undertaken in this region, he added.

As of September this year, Najib said, Iskandar Malaysia had recorded a total cumulative committed investment of RM77.82 billion, with 60 per cent from domestic investors and the remaining 40 per cent from overseas.

"I am pleased to say that we are expecting further investments from China, South Korea, Japan, India, the Middle East and North America in the near future," he said. -- BERNAMA

Purchase of Cookstown Outlet Mall completed

Company Release - 12/09/2011 08:30


TORONTO, ONTARIO and GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA--(Marketwire - Dec. 9, 2011) - - RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust ("RioCan") (TSX:REI.UN) and Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc. ("Tanger") (NYSE:SKT), today announced that through their co-ownership agreement they have purchased the Cookstown Outlet Mall. The property was acquired on a 50/50 basis for $48 million (Canadian dollars, at 100%), plus an additional $14 million for excess density payable upon the vendor meeting certain conditions, for an aggregate purchase price of $62 million. RioCan will provide development and property management services and Tanger will provide leasing and marketing services. In connection with the purchase, the co-owners assumed the in place financing of $30 million (Canadian dollars) which carries an interest rate of 5.1% and matures in 2014.

Cookstown Outlet Mall is located approximately 50 kms north of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) directly off of Highway 400 in the town of Innisfil, Ontario. The property was built in 1995 and is approximately 161,000 square feet with the potential to expand to approximately 320,000 square feet. This well established outlet centre features many national retailers such as, Coach Outlet, Adidas, Tommy Hilfiger Outlet, Puma and Rockport. The acquisition of this property will enable the co-owners to begin to implement their outlet centre strategy immediately, as well as provide the flexibility to further develop, through expansion, the site into a full-scale Tanger Outlet Center.

Simon Wants to End Lease for Factory Merchants Outlet Mall

Reported by: Joy Robertson  - Ozark First

(Branson, MO) -- A once-popular shopping mall in Branson may close its doors, and that's news to some people who operate businesses there.

The City of Branson says the Factory Merchants Mall, also known as the "red roof" mall, contacted city leaders weeks ago indicating it was ready to make a change.

The city owns the property; the mall covers 31 acres, plus parking, but if you've been there recently you've likely noticed it's not really busy.

Now the mall's operator, Simon Malls, is telling the city is wants to concentrate its efforts elsewhere.

"Tanger is bigger I guess, and it has more things," says one shopper.

Once a thriving mall, shoppers say they don't frequent this one all that much.

"Maybe once a quarter," says another shopper.

Only 31 stores are open at Factor Merchants Branson. Many more are vacant. This means much less sales tax revenue for the city.

"Since 2004, the economic activity has decreased by over 50 percent," says Branson City Manager Dean Kruithof.

The city says in mid-November, Simon contacted it, indicating it was ready to turn this property back over to Branson.

"They really wanted, for their purposes, to be able to have a transfer of ownership by the end of this year," says Kruithof, and concentrate on the property it does own, the Shoppes at Branson Meadows.

But the city says Simon was -- and is -- a good neighbor and tenant.

"We hope they will be working with their tenants to move to the Meadows," adds Kruithof.

As for the 31-plus acres? The city says all options are open, and it's even talked about upping its sports marketing effort.

"Ball diamonds, things such as that to attract people here and to bring their children here to participate in competitive athletics then also stay in Branson for all of the amenities that we have," says Kruithof.

Nothing will happen without approval of the Branson Board of Aldermen; two meetings are scheduled for later in the month.

One business owner told KOLR10's Joy Robertson Thursday that he'd heard nothing from Simon about this. Instead, he heard it from a real estate agent yesterday who dropped in the store, so he says there was a communication breakdown somewhere.

The City was only getting $126,000 a year in lease from Simon, plus $180,000 or so a year in sales tax revenue.

It was a deal made back in 1986 when there was nothing there. The city says Simon has maintained the property very well and built the infrastructure, but that now it's time to do something else.  

There has even been talk of a possible management agreement for six months to allow businesses to relocate.

Possible second outlet after Johar Premium Outlets

Written by Chua Sue-Ann - The Edge Financial Daily, December 5, 2011

JOHOR BARU: Genting Plantations Bhd and US property giant Simon Property Group Inc last week opened the doors to Southeast Asia’s first premium outlet retail mall, Johor Premium Outlets (JPO), after working on the project for more than three years.

JPO is owned and operated by Genting Simon, a 50:50 joint venture between Genting Plantations unit Azzon Ltd and Simon Property Group’s outlet division, Premium Outlets.

When JPO matures, Genting Simon Sdn Bhd general manager Jean Marie Pin Harry said there are plans to establish another Premium Outlets store for the Malaysian market in the near future.

“We will be looking for future sites but that is subject to the outcome of feasibility studies. We will announce the details in due course,” Jean Marie told The Edge Financial Daily in an interview last week.

He declined to pinpoint the potential location of the future site but Premium Outlets’ 69 other stores worldwide tend to be located near major tourist attractions and/or metropolitan areas with good connectivity.

For now, Genting Simon’s main focus is to get the first JPO off the ground and to draw in the crowds, following the soft launch of the retail mall last Thursday.

The JPO is slated for an official opening on Sunday.

JPO is an open strip mall that houses individual boutiques for designer fashion labels and brands.

During a visit by The Edge Financial Daily to JPO last Friday, we found a constant stream of visitors at the mall, many of whom appeared to be Johoreans and some Singaporeans.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak is scheduled to officially open JPO on Dec 11.

JPO is an open strip mall that houses individual boutiques for designer fashion labels and brands where off-season products are sold at discounted prices.

The brands available include Burberry, GAP, Coach, Nike, Samsonite, Royal Selangor and Zegna. It currently has 55 retailers with the remaining six stores to be opened soon.

JPO sits on 45 acres of land and has a gross lettable area of 190,000 sq ft in retail space.

Genting Simon has also penciled in space for future expansion of JPO should the need arise, Jean Marie said.

For Genting Simon, Johor is the ideal spot to open Premium Outlet’s first Southeast Asian store given the southern state’s proximity to Singapore.

“If you look at retail markets in the region, the number one market is Japan, followed by South Korea and the next is Singapore.

“We look at Malaysia and Singapore as a combined market for retail, so this is the logical place to be,” Jean Marie said, adding that Premium Outlets already has multiple stores in Japan and South Korea.

According to Jean Marie, JPO’s target clientele is mainly Singapore visitors and international tourists, apart from Malaysian shoppers.

He declined to comment on the projected number of annual visitors to JPO and the expected earnings contributions to Genting Plantations.

Maybank IB Research previously estimated that JPO will contribute net profit of between RM7 million to RM11 million a year to Genting Plantations from 2012 to 2014.

Jean Marie: We look at Malaysia and Singapore as a combined market for retail.

This constitutes less than 5% of the group’s overall bottom line, the research house added.

Additionally, JPO is strategically located between Genting group’s two resorts — Resorts World Genting, about 3½ hours’ drive away from JPO, and Resorts World Sentosa in Singapore which is about an hour’s drive away.

“There is significant cross traffic between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, as well as both resorts. If tourists are on their way and want a place to shop, this is it.

“Promotions for JPO will go hand in hand with those of the two resorts,” Jean Marie said.

In a recent note, Maybank IB Research said JPO could leverage on visitors to Singapore and Iskandar Malaysia due to its close proximity.

Nevertheless, Maybank IB Research observed that JPO could face challenges in attracting foreign tourists as the designer brands offered seem fewer than other premium outlets.

It pointed out a longer-term risk given that two more premium outlets are being planned for Sepang and Penang by 2020 under the Economic Transformation Programme (ETP).

Nevertheless, analysts opine that JPO will enhance the value of Genting Plantations’ remaining 6,670 acres of land in Kulaijaya where the group has its Genting Indahpura development.

According to a brief description on the ETP website, Genting Indahpura will feature a hotel, international water theme park and retail outlets.

In a Nov 24 note, OSK Research said the opening of the JPO and a new highway interchange has already helped to boost property prices at Genting Indahpura.

OSK Research said that shoplots are now sold at about RM560,000 each from RM300,000 to RM350,000 earlier this year.

Based on OSK Research’s calculations, Genting Plantations’ landbank in the Kulaijaya area is worth about RM1.6 billion.

This is based on valuing Genting Plantation’s 6,437-acre oil palm land at RM5 psf and 237-acre development land at RM21 psf.

Jean Marie concurs that JPO serves as an icon to draw interest and development to Genting’s land in Johor.

“This is a 100% greenfield. It was a palm jungle. There was nothing here. [JPO] is an attraction to bring tourists here,”  he said.

Cramer’s Stocking Stuffer: Tanger Factory Outlet Centers

By: Michelle Fox - CNBC

 There are some companies that work regardless of what happens in Europe because they’re levered to healthy domestic trends, Cramer said Thursday. He’s calling them his “stocking stuffers for the holidays.” One name on that list is Tanger Factory Outlet Centers.

Tanger is a real estate investment trust that is the only publicly traded pure play on the outlet business. It has 38 shopping centers across 25 different states and has a solid 2.9 percent yield. It is also a defensive company, with the business and the stock holding up better than other retailer REITs during the Great Recession.

Cramer first recommended Tanger in March of 2010 and it has since gained 38 percent, including dividends.

PacSun to close up to 200 stores

|By Shan Li | Los Angeles Times

Teen retailer Pacific Sunwear of California Inc., hoping for a financial turnaround after a three-year slump, said it plans to close as many as 200 of its weaker-performing stores around the country.

The Anaheim-based company known for its surf- and skate-inspired apparel also said it had secured $160 million in financing for its overhaul, even as it reported its 13th straight quarterly loss, of $17.6 million. That compares with a $6.96-million loss in the same period a year earlier.


The new financing, along with the store closings, "greatly enhances our financial and operating position, and is a critical step forward as we work to reestablish PacSun as a leading specialty retailer across the U.S.," Chief Executive Gary Schoenfeld said in a statement Wednesday.

The news sent PacSun shares as high as $1.99 in after-hours trading, a 47% gain over its closing price of $1.35. The stock could use the bounce; PacSun shares have lost 75% of their value since Jan. 1.

In an interview, Schoenfeld would not say which stores would close or the number of jobs that would be lost. "They are spread across the country," Schoenfeld said. "But in general our business in California continues to strengthen."

The company said its new financing came from two principal sources. It said it obtained a $100-million revolving line of credit from Wells Fargo Capital Finance and a $60-million secured loan from San Francisco-based Golden Gate Capital, a private equity firm with substantial retail and restaurant holdings.

Golden Gate was given two seats on the PacSun board.

Analysts say that the last few years has been a troubled time for the retailer, which has suffered from a lackluster product mix and lost ground to more trendy competitors.

"They lost their way a bit on merchandising, and as a result have lost relevancy with their core customer," said Pamela Quintiliano, a specialty retail analyst at Oppenheimer & Co. "They are struggling to regain credibility."

Quintiliano said that PacSun's mix of private-label and third-party surf brands — such as Roxy and Billabong — hasn't attracted trend-hungry youngsters who are eager for up-and-coming designers. As a result, many have flocked to rivals such as action-sports chain Zumiez Inc., which has been more conscious of offering exclusive merchandise.

PacSun's "private-label brand wasn't cheap enough to attract customers nor was it differentiated enough," Quintiliano said. "They are also not the only stores in the mall to have Roxy or Volcom; other stores carry them too."

That's something PacSun has been eager to change. The company has shaken up its women's merchandising and design team as part of an effort to produce more trendy apparel to better appeal to female shoppers, Schoenfeld said. The company is also trying to target an older teen and early-20s customer base to better align itself with its more successful menswear.

"The women's business has been where there has been some significant declines," Schoenfeld said. "Historically PacSun was a pretty basic tees and shorts and fleece business on the girls side, and she's definitely looking for on-trend and fashionable merchandise."

Steven B. Tanger to Appear on Bloomberg TV this Friday

 Company Release - 12/08/2011 16:05


GREENSBORO, N.C., Dec. 8, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Steven B. Tanger, President and Chief Executive Officer of Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc., will be a featured guest on Bloomberg TV tomorrow morning, December 9, 2011 at 8:14am. Steve will appear on "In the Loop" with Betty Liu. Betty and her team report on all of the day's urgent news with leaders from across industry and finance joining the program.

Steven B. Tanger to Appear on CNBC's Mad Money With Jim Cramer

 Company Release - 12/08/2011 16:02

GREENSBORO, N.C., Dec. 8, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Steven B. Tanger, President and Chief Executive Officer of Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc., will be a featured guest on CNBC's Mad Money with Jim Cramer today, December 8, 2011. Jim will be highlighting his annual "Cramer's Holiday Shopping List" on today's show. The show airs at 6:00 pm and is rebroadcast at 11pm. To find your local cable channel airing the show, please go to www.cnbc.com and click CNBC TV to find the station in your area or consult your cable TV guide.

Smart Holiday Shopping - Premium Outlets

Torvill and Dean at McArtherGlen's York Designer Outlet

Selby Times competition winners Emma Newbould and Hannah Stockill with gold medal skaters Torvill and Dean

Published on Thursday 1 December 2011 15:07 Shelby Times

TWO lucky Selby Times competition winners took to the ice at the weekend with none other than Olympic gold medalist skating sensations Torvill and Dean.

Eight-year-old Emma Newbould, of Hambleton, and seven-year-old Hannah Stockill, of Barlby, won the chance to meet the Dancing On Ice stars at the official opening of The Ice Factor at
 McArthurGlen’s York Designer Outlet on November 26 2011.

The girls won the chance to meet former Olympic and World champions Jane Torvill and Christopher Dean – who launched Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland and switched on 8,000 Christmas tree lights at the premier retail park – after winning a competition on the www.selbytimes.co.uk website. They spent more than an hour out on the ice with the celebrities, and also received their autographs and a £50 McArthurGlen York Designer Outlet voucher each.

Torvill and Dean became the highest scoring figure skaters of all time after achieving 12 perfect 6.0 marks at the 1984 winter Olympics. Bringing skating to the forefront of the British public, the duo fast became, and remain to be, one of Britain’s best loved couples, starring in ITV’s Dancing on Ice.

More than 18,000 shoppers descended on the centre on the day that skating champions switched on the lights of a 30ft tree at Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland. Torvill and Dean then delighted the crowd by meeting and skating with shoppers, signing autographs and having photographs taken.

Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland brings a host of festive delights to shoppers, including traditional fair rides and 20 beautifully styled traditional log cabin stalls offering everything from handmade gifts to delicious food, as well as a magnificent Santa’s grotto, all surrounding the ice rink.

McArthurGlen’s York Designer Outlet centre manager Mike Thomas said: “We were delighted to welcome Olympic champion skaters Torvill and Dean to launch the spectacular Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland event.

“With our fantastic selection of more than 120 leading designer and high street brands at up to 60 per cent less, plenty of free parking, combined with Yorkshire’s magical Winter Wonderland, we’re on the map as the Christmas destination for all the family to visit this year.”

Maria Farrugia, of Lunchbox Productions, which operates The Ice Factor, said: “Following the success of last year, this is the second year that The Ice Factor returns to McArthurGlen’s York Designer Outlet.

“We’re welcoming everyone to enjoy the beautiful Christmas market, Santa’s grotto and festive funfair at Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland, all set in McArthurGlen’s York, making this Christmas one to remember.”

Jayne Torvill said: “Both myself and Christopher were thrilled to launch Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland at McArthurGlen’s York Designer Outlet. Our passion is ice skating, so being able to combine that with such a fantastic switch-on event, surrounded by fabulous fashion, was the perfect way to mark the start of Christmas this year!”

The Ice Factor is open until January 8 2012, from 9.30am to 9.15pm daily (except Christmas Day). Tickets for a one-hour session range from £8.50 for children and concessions to £9.50 for adults.

Discounts apply for groups of 20 or more, and special party packages are available.
Log-on to www.theicefactor.co.uk or call 01653 619169 for further information. Log-on to www.ticketweb.co.uk or call 0844 8471523 to book tickets.

Simon and Genting Open Johor Premium Outlets

INDIANAPOLIS, Dec. 2, 2011 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ --

Simon Property Group, Inc. (NYSE: SPG), the country's largest owner, developer and manager of high quality retail real estate announced today that, in 50/50 partnership with Genting Berhad, it has opened Johor Premium Outlets, its first Premium Outlet Center® in Southeast Asia. The center encompasses 173,000 square feet of gross leasable area (GLA) featuring 80 stores and is strategically located in Johor Bahur, Malaysia. Johor Premium Outlets is close to Senai Airport and less than an hour's drive from the city center of Singapore and about three hours from Kuala Lumpur. A grand opening celebration will take place on December 11, 2011 to be officiated by the Prime Minister of Malaysia, YAB Dato' Seri Mohd Najib Bin Tun Hj Abdul Razak.

Johor Premium Outlets introduces the concept of upscale outlet shopping to Southeast Asia. The collection of merchants highlights international designers and leading brands offering everyday savings of 25 to 65 percent including Adidas, Armani, Brooks Brothers, Burberry, Canali, Coach, Esprit, Ermenegildo Zegna, Gap, Guess, Lacoste, Michael Kors, Nike, Oroton, Ralph Lauren, Royal Selangor, Salvatore Ferragamo, Swiss Watch Gallery, Timberland, Tommy Hilfiger, Tumi and many more.

"We are very pleased to announce the opening of Johor Premium Outlets," said John R. Klein, President of Simon's Premium Outlets® platform. "The collection of brands and overall shopping environment will provide an upscale shopping experience while offering significant savings to area residents and visitors. We have welcomed shoppers from Malaysia and Singapore to many of our centers and we are pleased to now be able to serve these valued consumers closer to home. The center will have excellent synergies with Resorts World Genting in Genting Highlands and Resorts World Sentosa in Singapore."

The Premium Outlets portfolio includes 70 Premium Outlet Centers including 57 in the United States, one in Puerto Rico, eight in Japan, two in South Korea, one in Malaysia and one in Mexico. Premium Outlet Centers in the United States are located primarily in or near major metropolitan markets such as New York, Los Angeles, Boston and Chicago and visitor markets such as Orlando and Palm Springs. Leading centers include Woodbury Common Premium Outlets, north of New York City, and Gotemba Premium Outlets, near Tokyo, Japan.
  
SOURCE Simon Property Group, Inc.