Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Limited’s plans for ’13 include four outlet stores

A window display at The Limited’s Nashville outlet store, which opened last Monday Facebook.com/thelimited
By  Tim Feran The Columbus Dispatch Monday May 6, 2013 1:50 AM

The Limited is pushing the limits of its fashion business by expanding into outlet centers, a growing sector of retailing.
The New Albany-based women’s-apparel company quietly opened the doors on its Nashville-area store last Monday and will open another store in Auburn Hills, Mich., on May 18. Grand openings for both stores are set for Memorial Day weekend.
Two other outlet stores — in San Marcos, Texas, and Rosemont, Ill. — will open in early summer.
The Limited opened its first two outlet stores in 2012, in the Baltimore and Charlotte, N.C., areas.
Those were well-received, said William Acevedo, senior vice president of stores, who has experience with outlet stores and is spearheading The Limited’s entry into the sector.
As with the original two outlet stores, the successful launch of this year’s stores will be fueled “by delivering trend-right product, at the right price and in the right locations,” Acevedo said.
The Limited was Limited Brands’ original chain. It was sold off to the private-equity firm Sun Capital Partners in 2007. The chain’s stores have been predominantly mall-based.One local retail observer thinks The Limited’s outlet stores hold promise.
“It looks like they’re going into really strong projects,” said retail analyst Chris Boring, principal at Boulevard Strategies. “There have been other mall-based retailers that have taken this strategy, including The Gap, so if anything, they’re almost coming late to the game compared to others.”
In opening the outlet stores, The Limited also follows in the footsteps of heavyweight chains such as Nordstrom and Saks Fifth Avenue, and The Limited’s former corporate sibling, Express, which has 10 outlet stores. Limited Brands has four Victoria’s Secret outlet stores, and Bath & Body Works has 70.
The expansion into outlets, prompted in part by the dwindling appeal of major department stores in traditional malls, has meant that the outlet industry has been growing much faster than retail in general, Boring said.
“If you’re a retailer that primarily locates in malls, your growth opportunities are pretty limited nowadays,” Boring said. “The last regional mall built in the U.S. was in 2006, I think, so they’re looking for new avenues of growth.”
Simon Property Group, the largest mall operator in the country, bought its first outlet center in 2004. Today, Simon is the largest owner of outlet centers, too, with 70 locations. The country has 185 outlet centers, and total sales are $24.3 billion, according to the trade publication Value Retail News.
In addition to the outlet stores, The Limited plans to open eight traditional-format stores this year, as far west as Los Angeles and as far east as Buffalo, N.Y. The company is also remodeling nine stores. None of the openings or remodelings will be in Ohio.
Including the stores set to open in 2013, the company has opened 68 since 2008. The Limited operates 260 stores in the United States.

Monday, May 6, 2013

Murder at the Outlet Mall

Once you've seen one shopping center you've seen a mall, as the famous pun goes. In Murder at the Outlet Mall by Marilyn Baron and Sharon Goldman, the puns are flying, but this shopping-related suspense tale is much more than that. It's a rollercoaster ride which will have the reader on the edge of their seat until checkout.

It's a story of love, revenge, and big spenders and it is excellently written. The location is perfect. The St. Augustine Premium Outlet in Florida is a fashion retail center where the designer apparel is to die for. There are some well-researched geographical and historical details about Florida which were excellent. This tour-guiding episode in which (spoiler alert) the duo endevor to dispose of the 'body parts', reads like a comedy caper film script, and is wonderfully wrought.

Overall, this is a fun story. It's soft-boiled crime for the discerning reader. It captures perfectly the 'feeding frenzy' of shoppers, and the 'Buyer Straits' of a shopping mall. Madame Wang and Madame Li are lovingly created and read brilliantly. And a last word to the authors, who never lose their customary humor but at the same time, prove themselves masters of suspense.The ending is straight out of left-field and is completely satisfying for the reader. There'll be no returns where this story is concerned!

 

Viejas Casino & Resort Outlets now includes a world-class hotel.


Viejas Casino & Resort Outlets are one of a kind
By Diana Saenger

Viejas Casino & Resort in San Diego County is a highly sought-out destination for visitors. Along with a casino noted for its “best of” distinctions and a chic and trendy outlet center, the Resort now includes a world-class hotel making the Viejas Casino & Resort a property unmatched by the majority of its competitors.

The Viejas Outlets is the only wholly owned and operated free standing Native American outlet center in the U.S. “Outlets typically partner with large developers,” said Peter M. Cortese, the General Manager of Viejas Outlets and the VP of Property Management. “Viejas was also the first to introduce outlet shopping on a Native American reservation in conjunction with a Casino product. Many developers have followed suit since.”

Cortese’s expertise on the project together with partners such as the Was Group acquiring leasing contacts, has brought in dynamic retailers such as; Coach, Brooks Brothers, Eddie Bauer, Polo Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger and many others.

The new hotel across the street from the Outlets is the crown jewel that completes a prefect destination for Viejas guests.  The addition of Viejas Hotel is a major milestone on our journey together,” Tribal Chairman Anthony Pico said.

The five-story hotel has 29 luxury suites and 99 rooms, each reflecting a high-end décor. It features a pool, hot tub, cabanas, business center and fitness room. The lobby has a huge fireplace and artistic décor reflecting the Kumeyaay heritage.

Outlet centers require a lot of real estate, which today is limited. “Having a hotel, casino and Outlets on the same property is the next growth area for tribal properties,” Cortese said. “The casino pairs up well with the Outlets and now with the new hotel product creates an excellent crossover market which had been marginal in the past.”

The success of the Viejas Outlets is due to its out-of-the-box added value to retailers and eateries. There’s a laser show court, bowling center, and huge winter ice-rink. A beautiful one-acre park with fountains and beautiful sculptures stages community events such as fashion shows, festivals, bands or movies.

Plans are in the works to add more hotel rooms and for the player’s card to earn rewards for shoppers as well. Marketing programs include busing and a welcome bag with special offers from all three of the Viejas properties. Busses arrive all day long at Viejas, some that travel 200 miles from Los Angeles.

Cortese is very proud of the Viejas growth and vision of the tribe. “We have created an exciting energy here, and people follow energy,” he said.

Sunday, May 5, 2013

Chesterfield outlet malls could see new development



By Tracy Clemons CHESTERFIELD, Mo. (KSDK)

Abercrombie & Fitch to open first European outlet

May 03, 2013 (Europe) www.fibre2fashion.com
McArthurGlen’s Ashford Designer Outlet will welcome American fashion and lifestyle giant Abercrombie & Fitch on 9 May, as they make their designer outlet debut in the European market.



Reflecting Abercrombie & Fitch’s all - American, Ivy League style, the new store will also carry Abercrombie Kids.

With ranges for men, women and children, including casualwear, denim and beach essentials, the brand is universally loved by style-conscious shoppers seeking the signature look.

The new Abercrombie & Fitch store will open its doors on 9 May and will sit alongside Ashford’s extensive range of sought-after fashion and lifestyle brands, including Calvin Klein, Superdry, Lacoste, Fred Perry, Ted Baker, Nike, Adidas and Guess.

Julia Calabrese, CEO of McArthurGlen Group, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Abercrombie & Fitch to McArthurGlen Designer Outlets, in what is their first venture in the European designer outlet market. We are sure that Abercrombie & Fitch will be a huge hit with our fashion-loving shoppers, seeking the signature Abercrombie & Fitch style. This is a fantastic addition to the McArthurGlen portfolio, and we look forward to developing this partnership.”

McArthurGlen’s Ashford Designer Outlet is a five-minute walk from Ashford International train station, offering a high-speed train link from London, taking just 37 minutes, as well as connections to France and Germany, making it easily accessible for both domestic and international shoppers.

The centre, which is one of seven McArthurGlen Designer Outlets in the UK, offers 80 designer and fashion brands with year-round savings of up to 60% and is a must-visit shopping destination for shoppers looking to keep up with the latest fashion trends. New openings in 2012 included Reiss, Crabtree & Evelyn, Links of London and Molton Brown.

McArthurGlen Group
McArthurGlen Group is Europe’s leading owner, developer and manager of designer outlets. The Group, which currently has 21 McArthurGlen Designer Outlets in eight countries, introduced the concept of designer outlet retailing to Europe in 1995. Consumers visiting McArthurGlen’s Designer Outlets are attracted by year-round savings of 30-70 per cent on the most sought-after brands in luxury, designer and high-street fashion.

McArthurGlen

Thursday, May 2, 2013

J Crew, Loft Outlet and American Eagle Join All Star Roster at The Shops of Grand River, AL



THE OUTLET SHOPS OF GRAND RIVER  LEEDS, AL



TENANTS INCLUDE:

COACH, POLO, TOMMY HILFIGER, BROOKS BROTHERS, NIKE, GAP, BANANA REPUBLIC, AEROPOSTALE, GUESS, LOFT OUTLETS, CHICO’S, TALBOT’S, FAMOUS FOOTWEAR, and many others!!!

 The Was Group leases over 12-outlet centers across the country, including:
The Outlets at Sands, PA
The Outlets at Springfield, IL 
Lake Buena Vista Outlets, FL
Adirondack Outlets, NY
Viejas Outlets, CA
Seaside Outlets, OR 
VF Outlet Center, PA
Flatwoods Factory Outlets, WV
The Shops at Odessa, MO
Flemington Retail Plaza, NJ                 
The Shops of Grand River, AL
Outlets at Legends, NV 
Rockvale Outlets, PA           

LANDLORD REPRESENTATION                      TENANT REPRESENTATION
                                     862-203-4352                                      

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

British Designers Collective at Bicester Village on May 2

April 25, 2013 (United Kingdom) - fibre2fashion.com

The hotly anticipated British Designers’ Collective at Bicester Village is back! Recording artist and British style icon Rita Ora will host the launch of the Collective on 2 May – featuring designers including Nicholas Kirkwood, Peter Pilotto, Preen and Jonathan Saunders.

The Collective is an exclusive collaboration between Bicester Village, one of the nine Chic Outlet Shopping Villages in Europe by Value Retail, and the British Fashion Council, allowing young British talents to retail their collections from a dedicated pop-up boutique.

Now in its fourth year, the boutique will follow the theme of ‘Future Vintage’ offering a selection of iconic pieces inspired by British fashion past and present. Brand advisor and retail consultant Yasmin 

Sewell has carefully curated this year’s collection. Visitors will have the chance to discover new designers and purchase collectable must-have pieces from Britain’s most coveted fashion talents.
Other designers taking part include Holly Fulton, Noel Stewart, Annina Vogel, Athena Procopiou, House of Holland, Hussein Chalayan, J.W.Anderson, Linda Farrow, Lucas Nascimento, Mary Katrantzou, Meadham Kirchhoff, Piers Atkinson, Richard Nicoll, David Koma, Prism, Preen by Thornton Bregazzi and Roksanda Ilincic; as well as jewellery from Mawi and Imogen Belfield.

An advocate of British fashion, Rita Ora has a love for vintage and homegrown talent, and her inimitable style has won her praise as one of the hottest fashion influencers in the world today. She follows in the footsteps of previous British Designers’ Collective ambassadors, who have included Alexa Chung and Thandie Newton, to support the initiative for 2013. 

“In our enduring commitment to supporting the rising stars of British fashion we are delighted to launch the fourth annual British Designers’ Collective at Bicester Village. The Chic Outlet Shopping Villages have long been a stage for emerging designers to introduce their collections to discerning shoppers from around the world.

The British Designers’ Collective offers an exciting opportunity to discover some of the most sought-after young designers in a single space for what is a truly unique shopping experience" - Desirée Bollier, Chief Executive of Value Retail Management Ltd

Caroline Rush, Chief Executive of the British Fashion Council, said: “The British Designers’ Collective at Bicester Village is an opportunity for some of Britain’s most exciting designers to showcase their work alongside established heritage labels. It’s a unique and unrivalled shopping experience that allows visitors to discover new designers at a fraction of the price.

"The Future Vintage theme is an exciting concept exploring the synergy between the innovation and creativity of today’s designers and the quality and calibre of their work, that combined, defines them as the big names of tomorrow.”


British Fashion Council