Factory Outlet Insiders

Job Fair at Merrimack Premium Outlets

2012-03-15T20:12:00.000-04:00

ByCarolyn Dube - Merrimack Patch

A job fair will be held March 30, from 8 a.m.-6 p.m., at Nashua Community College, 505 Amherst St., in anticipation of the Merrimack Premium Outlets.

The outlet mall, under construction in Merrimack, will be located just off Exit 10 of the F.E. Everett Turnpike, is scheduled to hold its grand opening June 14-17.

According to promotional material for the project, the shopping center is projected to create 1,000 jobs at a cross-section of retail and food service stores.

Back in January, we learned of 54 of the approximately 100 stores set to come to the open air shopping center, and even more have been added to the Premium Outlets website.

According to a project update sent out by the company earlier this week, the project remains on target for its opening date and 98 percent of the buildings have been leased.

The mall will be home to 100 designer and brand-name outlets that will fill 410,000 square feet of lease-able space. The center will also house a food court and is approved for four restaurants and a 200-room hotel in later phases of the project.

British Designers Collection pop-up at Chic Outlet Shopping Villages

2012-03-14T20:16:00.004-04:00

SOURCE: fashionunited.co.uk

Bicester Village, one of the nine Chic Outlet Shopping Villages by Value Retail, will see the return of the annual British Designers Collection from March 21. Now in its third year, the pop-up boutique concept store is an exclusivecollaboration with Bicester Village and the British Fashion Council, offering emerging British talent the opportunity to showcase their collections in a unique setting.

Previously just dedicated to womenswear designers, new this year will be a dedicated menswear pop-up boutique, which will follow the women’s boutique, from May 16 for six weeks. The menswear pop-up will feature collections from designers including YMC, Oliver Spencer, Margaret Howell, James Long, Sunspel, Tim Little, Heritage Research, Grenson, Time Little, b Store and Richard James.

The womenswear pop-up shop will include designers such as Marios Schwab, Jonathan Saunders, Markus Lupfer, Lulu Kennedy, Peter Pilotto, Holly Fulton, Bella Freud, James Long, Goat, Hermione de Paula, Jean Pierre Braganza, Emma Cook, Nicholas Kirkwood, Preen and Osman, as well as accessories from Pauric Sweeney, Lily and Lionel, Mawi and Erickson Beamon.

Desirée Bollier, Chief Executive of Value Retail Management Ltd said: “In our ongoing commitment to British fashion design we are delighted to welcome back the British Designers’ Collective to Bicester Village this spring. The exclusive pop-up boutique will showcase some of the very best in British rising talent along with a great mix of established British womenswear and menswear collections.”

Harold Tillman, chairman of the BFC, added: “The British Fashion Council are delighted to be continuing their collaboration with Bicester Village on the ‘British Designers Collective’ boutique. This is a unique platform for London Fashion Week designers to showcase their designs to new audiences. This year’s dedicated menswear phase, adds an extra dimension to the boldly British boutique and validates the excitement surrounding a year that celebrates all that is British.”

Simon Property Group Completes Acquisition of 28.7% Interest in Klepierre

2012-03-14T20:16:00.003-04:00

Simon Property Group Completes Acquisition of 28.7% Interest in Klepierre and Closings of Public Offerings of Common Stock and Senior Notes

INDIANAPOLIS, March 14, 2012 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Simon Property Group, Inc. (NYSE: SPG) ("SPG") announced today that it has completed the previously announced acquisition of a 28.7% equity stake (54.43 million shares) in Klepierre (Euronext Paris: LI) from BNP Paribas for euro 28.00 per share, or a total transaction value of approximately $2.0 billion (euro 1.5 billion).

David Simon, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of SPG, was appointed to the position of Chairman of Klepierre's nine member Supervisory Board. Two additional SPG representatives, Steven Fivel and Francois Kayat, were appointed as members of Klepierre's Board as well.

SPG's previously announced acquisition of joint venture partner Farallon Capital Management, L.L.C.'s stake in 26 assets of The Mills Limited Partnership is expected to close next week.

SPG also announced that it and its majority-owned operating partnership subsidiary, Simon Property Group, L.P. (the "Operating Partnership"), have closed the equity and debt offerings announced last week. The Company sold a total of 9,137,500 shares, including shares issued in connection with the underwriters' partial exercise of an overallotment option. The shares were issued at a price of $137.00 per share and the equity offering closed today. The Operating Partnership completed its offering of three new series of senior unsecured notes in the aggregate principal amount of $1.75 billion yesterday. The weighted average coupon of the notes is 3.39% and the weighted average term is 14.7 years.

The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the two offerings to fund (or repay borrowings used prior to the closing of the offerings to fund) the Klepierre and Mills transactions and for corporate and partnership purposes.

Outlet Shopping Gal says nautical never goes out of style

2012-03-13T20:03:00.000-04:00

SOURCE: By: Kimberly Kapilovic - ABC15.COM

Chic Outlets Present ‘Backstage’ an Exhibition by Photographer Daniel Beres

2012-03-12T20:38:00.000-04:00

SOURCE: ETBMICE.COM

La Vallée Village (Paris), one of the nine Chic Outlet Shopping® Villages by Value Retail, is launching a new exhibition by fashion photographer Daniel Beres.

‘Backstage’, is a collection of photographs taken between 2008 and 2012 behind the scenes of fashion shows in Paris; the exhibition offers an exclusive look beyond traditional fashion photography.

During the endless wait at the start of the runway shows during Paris Fashion Week, Daniel Beres took a series of photographs, which will be exhibited for the first time at Espace La Vallée, the contemporary art gallery at La Vallée Village, from 10 March to 10 June 2012.

The ‘Backstage’ exhibition will premiere ten photographs that go behind the scenes of the catwalks and capture images far from the glossy pages that captivate the world, and accessing another reality, without artifice.

If a runway photo can be considered an exercise of visual recording, this series, titled ‘Backstage’ by Beres himself is conversely constructed around the premise of photography as a projection of the subconscious.

Daniel Beres says, “Images exist before their physical materialisation; it’s not about describing situations but bringing into existence a universe by projecting it against reality through a camera lens.
The images that are born of this process produce a fragile counterpoint to the images produced and constructed on the runway. Far from wishing to condemn, the idea is to reflect on the representation in images, or the different ways that we can capture a situation.”

La Vallée Village’s mission, beyond offering a leading luxury shopping destination in France, is to use its art gallery to give a voice to those who reveal and intrigue, by showing the world, and fashion in particular, in a new and fascinating light.

Opry Mills to reopen on March 29th

2012-03-12T20:37:00.000-04:00

by Jimmy Settle - Leaf-Chronicle

NASHVILLE, TENN. — One of the most popular shopping malls not only in Middle Tennessee, but the entire Southeast region, makes its triumphant return on March 29 after succumbing to Cumberland River flooding in May 2010.

Opry Mills in Nashville will reopen for business March 29 with more than 60 new and returning retailers and dining options added to its already-announced lineup of outlet stores including Brooks Brothers Factory Store, Coach Factory Store, Cole Haan Outlet, J.Crew Factory, Lucky Brand Outlet, Michael Kors, Nike Factory Store, Polo Ralph Lauren Factory Store, Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th and Tommy Bahama Outlet.

The opening comes with an official ribbon cutting ceremony, followed by a series of celebratory events running through early May. Opry Mills has recovered after a major flood event – the same Cumberland River flood, in fact, that also victimized stores and restaurants along Riverside Drive in Clarksville in May 2010.

New to Opry Mills will be more stores such as Crazy 8, Express, Jones New York Outlet, P.S. from Aeropostale, Sunglass Warehouse, Tilly’s and Wilk’s Dugout. “The excitement continues with the return of several familiar names to Opry Mills not previously announced such as Aerie, Aeropostale, Body Central, The Children’s Place Outlet, Claire’s, dressbarn, The Finish Line, Fossil, Gap Outlet, Gymboree Outlet, Haggar, Hanes brands, Journeys, Justice, Lane Bryant Outlet, Levi’s Outlet, Nautica Factory Store, Old Navy Outlet, Pacific Sunwear, Papaya, Rack Room Shoes, RCC Western Wear, rue21, Skechers USA Outlet, Wet Seal and Wilson’s Leather Outlet,” representatives for the shopping complex said in a news release.

Other returning retailers will further enhance the Opry Mills shopping experience.

“These many new store announcements fuel the momentum to reopen as one of the most popular shopping destinations in the United States,” said Jad Murphy, general manager at Opry Mills. “Opry Mills’ visitors will enjoy our unique brand of shopping with the best mix of outlet and value retail stores, plus great dining options.”

In addition, Murphy said shoppers will be welcomed back with many new and returning casual dining options including Burger King, Charley’s Grilled Subs, The Cookie Store, Dairy Queen, The Great American Cookie Company, Green Leaf’s Beyond Great, It’Sugar, Kelly’s Cajun Grill, Maki of Japan, Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt, Panda Express, Pyramids Cafe, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Company, Villa Fresh Italian Kitchen and Which Wich. Plus, the return of Macaroni Grill, Rainforest Cafe and Aquarium Restaurant “will allow shoppers to enjoy a full-service dining experience,” he said.

Five major anchors, Regal Cinemas Opry Mills Stadium 20 & IMAX, Dave & Buster’s, VF Outlet, Bass Pro Shops and Sun & Ski Sport, opened in time for the 2011 holiday season and are already enjoying success at Opry Mills, Murphy added.

The grand re-opening of Opry Mills comes nearly two years after the historic flood in May 2010 ravaged areas of Clarksville and Nashville and submerged Opry Mills, considered one of Tennessee’s top tourist attractions. Construction on the landmark property began in April 2011.

Opry Mills is located seven miles from downtown Nashville, between Interstates 40 and 65, and is within walking distance of the Grand Ole Opry and the 2,800-room Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center.

Second chance for Kembla Grange factory outlet

2012-03-11T19:08:00.000-04:00

by SHANNON TONKIN -Illawarra Mercury

Rejected plans for a factory outlet and homemaker centre at Kembla Grange could be given a second chance tonight.

Wollongong councillors will debate the $110million proposal for the second time in two weeks after Liberal councillor Bede Crasnich lodged a rescission motion against a council decision to reject the plans at its February 27 meeting.

Supported by Cr Michelle Blicavs (Lib) and Cr Chris Connor (ALP), Cr Crasnich will present a petition with more than 400 signatures to tonight’s meeting in the hope it will convince his fellow councillors to move the proposal to the next stage of the process - a NSW planning department review.

The three councillors have identified seven reasons for supporting the rescission motion, claiming that a range of benefits from the proposal were not addressed in the original debate on the issue.

‘‘The opportunity for community consultation and comment was removed by the council’s decision on February 27,’’ Cr Crasnich said.

‘‘This petition is a small sample size of how people feel about this proposal, and it’s obvious that it’s wanted.’’

Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery used his casting vote to throw out the zoning proposal that called for factory outlet and bulky goods uses to be included in the site’s light industrial zoning.

His move has been supported by the Shopping Centre Council of Australia (SCCA), which counts GPT, Westfield and Stockland among its members.

SCCA deputy director Angus Nardi claimed that allowing the proposal to proceed would ‘‘make a mockery’’ of the planning system and ignore the council’s own planning studies and strategies.

‘‘The clear and long-recognised urban planning deficiencies of the Kembla Grange proposal should not now be overlooked by [the] council,’’ he said.

Mr Nardi rejected claims his comments could be interpreted as ‘‘anti-competitive’’, saying the SCCA welcomed retail investment and economic activity in the region, as long as it was in accordance with established planning rules, ‘‘as our members’ investments are’’.

Tanger Factory Outlet Centers to Present at Citi's 2012 Global Property CEO Conference

2012-03-11T18:53:00.001-04:00

Company Release - 03/09/2012 08:30

GREENSBORO, N.C., March 9, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc. (NYSE:SKT) announced today that Steven B. Tanger, President and Chief Executive Officer, will participate in the Citi 2012 Global Property CEO Conference being held March 11, 2012 through March 14, 2012. The Company's presentation is scheduled for 3:35 PM EDT on Monday, March 12, 2012, and may be accessed live via conference call by dialing 877-211-0500 – Passcode: 7494482. A replay will not be available.

Lego Store to reopen in Discover Mills

2012-03-08T20:45:00.000-05:00

SOURCE: RetailSolutionsOnline.com

The LEGO group, one of the world's best-known toy manufacturers, is thrilled to announce the grand reopening of the LEGO store on March 16 at Discover Mills, Atlanta's largest outlet, value retail and entertainment destination. The LEGO store will now be located near The Disney Store and Gymboree Outlets and raises the bar in innovative displays, in-store family events and shopper-friendly play areas.

"The newly redesigned LEGO store is the perfect complement to Discover Mills' already celebrated shopping and entertainment experience," said Karl Woodard, general manager of Discover Mills.
"We are confident that local residents and visitors to the greater Atlanta area will revel in the fun experiences that the LEGO store brings to Discover Mills."

The new LEGO store will feature an assortment of products covering nearly every square inch of space amidst three key design components. The "Pick-A-Brick-Wall," by far the most popular store feature, offers the option to hand pick and purchase specific LEGO bricks and elements in a variety of colors and shapes in bulk. The "Living Room" is an interactive play area prominently positioned in the center of the store and finally a "Brand Ribbon" runs the circumference of the store, featuring LEGO model displays, company history and fun facts to entertain guests. In addition, other in-store features and experiences include Master Builder Bar, Monthly Mini Model Build Classes, LEGO Club Meetings, V.I.P. Program and Shop & Ship.

"Our newly redesigned store at Discover Mills will enhance our consumers' overall LEGO brand experience through product variety, store design and regular hands-on family events," says Skip Kodak, vice president, LEGO Group. "Children and families will be able to experience first-hands and hands-on creativity and imagination that goes into LEGO building and be inspired by the over 4 million LEGO bricks that are in the store at any given time."

Other popular stores already enjoying success at Discover Mills include Last Call by Neiman Marcus, Papaya, Guess Factory Store, Sears Fashion Outlet, Off Broadway Shoes, Zales The Diamond Store Outlet, Kenneth Cole Company Store and Nike Factory Store.

Simon Property Group Announces Two Strategic Acquisitions, Strengthening Domestic and International Footprint

2012-03-08T20:42:00.002-05:00

Acquires 28.7% Interest in Leading European Mall Owner and Operator Klépierre from BNP Paribas

Acquires Joint Venture Partner Farallon Capital’s Stake in 26 Mills Assets

Both Transactions Expected to be Immediately Accretive to FFO; SPG Increases 2012 FFO and Net Income Guidance

INDIANAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mar. 8, 2012-- Simon Property Group, Inc. (NYSE: SPG) ("SPG") today announced that it has signed a definitive agreement under which it is acquiring a 28.7% equity stake (54,430,000 shares) in Klépierre (Euronext Paris: LI) from BNP Paribas (Euronext Paris: BNP) for €28.00 per share, or a total transaction value of approximately $2.0 billion (€1.5 billion). SPG will receive payment of Klépierre’s dividend to be declared in April 2012. Klépierre is a Paris-based real estate company that focuses on the ownership, management, and development of shopping centers, retail properties and offices across Continental Europe. Klépierre’s portfolio includes 271 shopping centers in 13 countries, with 50 percent of its properties in France and Belgium, 25 percent in Scandinavia, and the balance in Central and Southern Europe.

David Simon, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of SPG, said, “We are very excited to become the largest shareholder in Klépierre, which has a collection of unique retail assets in strong markets in Europe. The investment in Klépierre represents an attractive opportunity for SPG as we seek to broaden our global footprint. We have long been admirers of Klépierre, its pan-European footprint and growth potential, and we look forward to working closely with the Klépierre management team.”

As part of the Klépierre transaction, Mr. Simon will become the Chairman of Klépierre’s nine member Supervisory Board. Two additional SPG representatives will join the Klépierre Board as well.

Laurent Morel, Chief Executive Officer of Klépierre, commented, “We are very enthusiastic to have Simon Property Group as a significant investor in Klépierre, which will combine Klépierre’s expertise, strong European presence and development potential with the expertise and leadership of the largest global retail real estate company. Simon’s collaboration with the Klépierre team will be a significant asset in driving the profitable growth of our company.”

Klépierre, a listed real estate company, held assets valued at €16.2 billion at December 31, 2011. Klépierre specializes in designing, managing, and enhancing the value of its real estate assets via its subsidiaries, Ségécé and Steen & Strøm, Scandinavia’s number one owner and manager of shopping centers. Klépierre is listed on Euronext Paris™ and belongs to the SBF 40, CAC Large 60, and EPRA Eurozone indexes.

The Klépierre transaction is expected to close next week. SPG has no current intention to acquire additional shares of Klépierre.

SPG also announced today that it has signed a definitive agreement with its joint venture partner Farallon Capital Management, L.L.C. ("Farallon") under which SPG is acquiring Farallon’s stake in 26 assets of The Mills Limited Partnership (“The Mills”) in a transaction valued at $1.5 billion, which includes repayment of The Mills’ senior loan facility and mezzanine loan, and the retirement of preferred stock. The Mills assets included in this transaction, all of which will continue to be managed by SPG, are listed below.

Mr. Simon added, “The Mills transaction is a compelling opportunity for SPG to expand our investment in a portfolio of assets we know well and already manage, which are well-located in key metropolitan markets, have considerable consumer brand equity and large trade areas, and generate significant cash flow and total sales volumes. We were pleased to have partnered with Farallon since our initial investment in 2007, and we have made significant progress improving The Mills’ assets. We look forward to a continued strengthening of these high-quality, well-positioned properties, and will continue to pursue redevelopment opportunities throughout this portfolio.”

Rocky Fried, Managing Member of Farallon, said “We are extremely gratified by this outcome. When we entered into the transaction in 2007, we had a shared vision for The Mills properties and brand and Simon Property Group did an exceptional job of accomplishing those goals, despite a historic downturn in the property markets. We know that under Simon’s continued stewardship, The Mills will continue to prosper.”

FOR THE COMPLETE PRESS REPORT FOLLOW THIS LINK.

Simon Property Group Announces Proposed Offerings of Common Stock and Senior Notes

2012-03-08T20:36:00.001-05:00

INDIANAPOLIS, March 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Simon Property Group, Inc. (NYSE: SPG) announced today that it intends to conduct, subject to market and other conditions, an offering of 7,000,000 shares of common stock. The Company expects to grant the underwriters an overallotment option to purchase 1,050,000 additional shares of common stock.

Additionally, the Company announced today that its majority-owned operating partnership subsidiary, Simon Property Group, L.P. (the "Operating Partnership"), intends, subject to market and other conditions, to offer three new series of senior unsecured notes with maturity dates of five and one-half, ten and thirty years in the aggregate principal amount of $1.5 billion.

The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the offerings to fund (or repay borrowings used prior to the closing of the offerings to fund) two recently announced transactions: the purchase of a 28.7% equity interest in Klepierre, a publicly-traded French REIT, from BNP Paribas; and the purchase of additional interests in 26 properties in the Mills portfolio from Farallon Capital Management, L.L.C. and for general corporate and partnership purposes.

No one blinking yet in race for Chesterfield outlet mall

2012-03-07T19:57:00.000-05:00

BY KAVITA KUMAR • kkumar@post-dispatch.com - stltoday.com

There’s still no sign of flinching in the game of chicken between two proposed outlet mall centers in Chesterfield.

Both projects have been going full steam ahead even though it’s apparent that only one will end up getting built.

They both have submitted site plans to the city – though Chesterfield Outlets is a bit further along in the vetting process than its rival. And now St. Louis Premium Outlets has got the ball rolling on applying for financing.

The developers of the proposed St. Louis Premium Outlets recently filed an application with the city to form a community improvement district.

It would raise as much as $30 million through bonds, which would be paid back through a sales tax of up to one percent that would be levied on this property.

I might add that back in October, Stephen Coslik, chief executive of Texas-based Woodmont Co., one of the backers of this $85 million outlet project, said he would not seek tax-increment financing. But he didn’t rule out then the possibility of seeking assistance through other government programs. Now we know why. (Simon Property Group, owner of St. Louis Mills, is the other major partner on this project.)

The city gave a preliminary OK to the special taxing district earlier this month, but it still has to go through another round of scrutiny before coming up for final approval.

In the meantime, the city has not yet received any financing applications from the other proposed project – Chesterfield Outlets, which is being spearheaded by Taubman Centers. But there have been informal discussions with city officials about creating a transportation development district, which would help provide some funds for the project.

The site plans for this development are a couple steps ahead of the other project and have already been approved by the city’s architectural review board and are now going before the planning commission next week.

On a conference call with investors earlier this month, Robert Taubman, the company’s chief executive, said that he expects Chesterfield Outlets to receive final site plan approval and to start construction in April, with an opening slated for fall of 2013.

“With 2.8 million people and no outlet center in the market, tenants have responded strongly,” he said, though he didn’t mention any specific retailers.

So, yes, neither is backing down. It will be interesting to see who blinks first.

McArthurGlen appoints Group HR Director

2012-03-07T19:56:00.000-05:00

SOURCE: TheGrapevineMagazine.com

The owner, developer and manager of designer outlets has appointed a new HR Director.

Antonella Padova assumes the new role at McArthurGlen Group, where she will be responsible for overseeing the group’s HR operations at the firm’s head office in London, as well as offices in Italy and its designer outlets located in eight European countries.

Padova has more than 20 years of HR experience, working for major international brands. Her previous positions include key global roles at Italian luxury brand Tod’s SpA and at consumer brand Whirlpool, as well as at Danone.

Padova was Global HR Director at Italian luxury brand Tod’s SpA for six years. Prior to this, she was Global Director of Knowledge Management and Innovation for the Whirlpool Corporation, having joined Whirlpool Europe as European HR Director three years previously.

Her first key HR appointment was as HR Director at Galbani, which was then part of the French Danone Group.

Commenting on Padova’s appointment, Julia Calabrese, CEO, McArthurGlen, says: “We are delighted to welcome Antonella to McArthurGlen at a time when the group is undergoing unprecedented growth. Antonella brings a wealth of experience to McArthurGlen gained from working for world-leading brands in global and regional roles.”

Kenneth Cole makes buyout bid.

2012-03-06T20:05:00.000-05:00

SOURCE: LiveTradingNews.com

Kenneth Cole has made an offer to take the company he founded private, although slightly over the market price at the time, $15 a share is not likely to buy Kenneth Cole Productions, Inc. (NYSE: KCP).

Kenneth Cole Productions, Inc. (NYSE: KCP) (the “Company”) announced that its board of directors has received a non-binding proposal from Kenneth Cole, Chairman and Chief Creative Officer of the Company and the holder of approximately 47% of the Company’s outstanding common stock (representing approximately 89% of the voting power), to acquire all of the outstanding shares of the Company’s Class A common stock that he does not currently directly or indirectly own for $15.00 per share in cash. A copy of the text of the proposal letter to the board of directors is set forth below.

In response, the board of directors has formed a special committee of independent directors to consider the proposal, to negotiate on behalf of the Company and, if it deems appropriate, to solicit and consider any alternative transactions. The special committee is comprised of all of the directors of the Company other than Kenneth Cole and Paul Blum. The special committee is authorized to retain independent financial advisors and legal counsel to assist it in its work. The board of directors cautions the Company’s shareholders and others considering trading in its securities that it has only received the proposal and that no decision has been made with respect to the Company’s response to the proposal. There can be no assurance that any definitive offer will be made, that any agreement will be executed or that the transaction contemplated in the proposal or any other transaction will be approved or consummated. The Company does not anticipate making any further public statements about this matter or the activities of the special committee unless and until either it enters into a definitive agreement for a transaction or the special committee determines that no such transaction will be effected.

Tanger Outlets Introduces TangerKIDS Grants

2012-03-06T19:57:00.005-05:00

Company Release - 03/06/2012 16:25

GREENSBORO, N.C., March 6, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc. (NYSE:SKT), announced today that in keeping with their charitable mission to help find a cure for breast cancer and protecting the future of kids, the launch of TangerKIDS Grants. This program is designed to award grant money to local schools in the communities where Tanger Outlets are located.

Tanger Outlets believes that our children are our biggest and most important asset. They represent the future of our nation. With this in mind, Tanger has dedicated efforts since the company was founded to assist students from pre-school through high school by helping to raise money that is used to purchase books and supplies, computers and new technology, to fund reading programs and educational field trips, to purchase athletic and playground equipment and for many other important educational projects. Tanger Outlets has now raised and donated in excess of one million dollars to helping children and schools succeed.

The TangerKIDS Grants program is designed to assist schools in Tanger Outlets primary markets by providing grants for special projects, needed programs or equipment. Grants can also support groups within schools of all grade levels from Pre-K to Grade 12. Each year new requests will be submitted to allow Tanger to help multiple schools, groups and initiatives within the schools. These grants will be offered for multiple schools at each of Tanger's 39 centers in the United States and Canada. Schools prepare request forms and submit them to their Tanger Outlets Center by Friday, March 30. Grants are awarded between Monday, May 7 and Friday, May 11.

Tanger has earmarked one dollar of every coupon book sold to kids and schools. Tanger has contributed one dollar of each book sold since 2000, but this year's TangerKIDS grant program is a targeted way to get the funds to deserving schools and children. The goal is to support education in a meaningful way. Funding for TangerKIDS Grants ranges from 2,500 to 7,500 dollars per center and may be split between multiple grant requests.

"The entire Tanger organization strongly believes that supporting children's education is an investment in their future and we, as a company, want to contribute. We take great pride in being engaged members of the communities we serve. Tanger Outlet Centers, Inc. has developed this new program to assist our local schools with funding for needed programs and equipment. TangerKIDS exemplifies our long term commitment to protect the futures of children," said Steven B. Tanger, President and Chief Executive Officer.

The Factory Outlet Group on LinkedIn adds 1000 members

2012-03-06T18:41:00.000-05:00

I am pleased to announce that the Factory Outlet group on LinkedIn has exceeded 1000 members this week.

Where are our members from?
11% - Greater NY City Area
4% - Greater Boston Area
3% - Milan Area/Italy
2% - Miami/Ft. Lauderdale
2% - Baltimore
2% - Los Angeles

What industry do our members work in?
38% - Retail
16% - Real Estate
10% - Apparel/Fashion
5% - Commercial Real Estate
4% - Marketing

What Seniority do we list ourselves as?
25% - Manager
19% - Senior
14% - Director
12% - VP
9% - Owner

If your not already a member, I encourage you to join our group on LinkedIn. Group members can contribute what you are doing, where you are at, or what you need help with. You can create discussions, post jobs, add news stories and anything else that you think will be of interest and benefit the members of the group

Our group will only be more successful as it grows. I ask you to invite your Factory Outlet connections to join our community.

Additionally, if you would like to connect, please send me an invitation on LinkedIn. I am always interested in connecting with other professionals in the industry.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Mark Libell
Vice President
Kids Supercenter

Used Shoes at Nordstrom's Rack Outlet Stores?

2012-03-05T20:39:00.001-05:00

Photo by Heather Staible

By: Stephanie Landsman -CNBC

It isn’t unusual to see retailers sell refurbished computers or televisions. But what about shoes?

High-end department store Nordstrom is funneling its returned and worn shoes to its Nordstrom Rack outlet stores. This practice is surprising since outlet stores are not known as second-hand stores. It’s a place for retailers to send their unsold merchandise each season.

The shoes are clearly labeled as “worn and refinished” — and it’s reflected in the markdown. Sometimes they are slipped side-by-side on the racks with new items. Other times, they’re put on display in a section of the shoe department.

“On a perception level, it turns you into a junk store, a second-hand clothing store. And, that is something that now calls into question Nordstrom’s reputation as a first-rate, quality high-end type of brand retailer,” said branding expert Robert Frankel.

He isn’t disputing the rationale of the strategy. Nordstrom gets to preserve margins and sell its returned merchandise in its outlet store instead of through a liquidator. But, Frankel, who wrote the book “The Revenge of Brand X: How to Build A Big Time Brand On The Web or Anywhere Else,” said it’s just very ill-conceived.

“From a stock analyst point of view, it suggests Nordstrom is really pinching pennies if they are selling their garbage. They were supposed to be first-class quality,” said Frankel. “Now they are expanding where they are almost a thrift-store status? There is something wrong here.”

So, how do they clean them? Do they get sprayed like bowling shoes?

Nordstrom Rack Spokesperson Kendall Ault said the shoes that are labeled as “worn and refinished” are gently worn (either tried on or accepted as returns) and then professionally cleaned, repaired and refinished as needed to return to a “near-pristine” condition.

“At Nordstrom Rack, we make every attempt to offer our consumers merchandise that is in the best possible condition. We will not knowingly sell damaged or broken items,” said Ault in a statement.

She adds that the refurbished items are never sold at the upscale Nordstrom stores. And, the retailer does not hold any “official” refurbished shoe events.

This suggests some Nordstrom Racks may be going rogue.

Going Rogue

Earlier this month, the Nordstrom Rack in Fairfax, Va., held a refurbished shoe event. We confirmed it with a store representative after its manager tweeted out photographs of “worn and refinished” shoes “hot off the truck” on her Twitter page.

The Nordstrom Rack in Paramus, N.J., held one last year.

Branding expert Frankel said, “It raised my concerns that local stores may have loose-cannon types that may be undermining the overall brand without corporate's knowledge.”

Amy Shea, global director of brand development for Brand Keys, believes Nordstrom has a good idea, but it’s not executing it properly.

“Certainly, they do have an expectation attached to their brand expectation of quality, so there is a thin line between being a thrift store and being Nordstrom,” said Shea. “We know that the shopping experience is a very strong driver when it comes to the department store category. So, it is really cautionary for Nordstrom Rack if they’re putting out merchandise that is not shown properly or not really restored.”

Demand for Pre-Owned Couture

There is a caveat. If Nordstrom Rack was selling refurbished, higher end shoes such as Gucci or Louis Vuitton versus used Sperry rain boots, she said there would be a positive impact on the retailer’s brand.

There is a robust market out there for pre-owned couture among the younger crowd. It’s something the flash sites, such as TheRealReal.com and BeyondtheRack.com, have been capitalizing on.

“From the data and findings on younger consumers who have the money to shop at Nordstrom, there is a real move away from conspicuous consumption…. They have been raised on various levels of couture. Low-end is Stuart Weitzman for them. There is an expectation,” said Shea.

Keybanc Capital Markets Research Analyst Edward Yruma does not think this practice compromises Nordstrom’s brand.

“If it is a high-end item being refurbished and it’s definitely not being sold at its full-line stores, then it’s fine if it’s sold at the Rack,” said Yruma. “It is within the scope when you buy at the off-price channel.”

Breaking From the Pack

But, it appears what Nordstrom Rack is doing is not the norm among its competitors.

Neiman Marcus spokeswoman Ginger Reeder said the retailer’s outlet, Last Call, does not sell worn items. However, it does have a section of "chips and dents," which are basically irregular items such as a shoe that had a missing buckle that was replaced.

Saks’ outlet, Off 5th, does not sell refurbished shoes either, according to Julia Bentley, its spokeswoman.

TJX Companies which runs Marshalls and TJ Maxx, sent us an ambiguous statement about vender contacts and their goods being in accordance with “all applicable laws, regulations and industry standards.” Its spokesman Kenneth MacFadyen, acknowledged that the comment was “not specific.” But, he believes it “addresses” our question.

Century 21 and Bloomingdale's Outlet did not give us a comment. Keybanc Capital Markets, Yruma's employer, has received compensation for investment banking services from Nordstrom during the past 12 months. The firm has also received compensation for non-investment banking securities related services.

Simon Property Group and Bailian Group Agree to Jointly Develop a Premium Outlet Center® in China

2012-03-05T20:39:00.000-05:00

First Project Likely to be Adjacent to Shanghai Disney Resort -

SHANGHAI, March 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Simon Property Group, Inc. (NYSE: SPG), the world's leading retail real estate company, and Bailian Group, the largest retail conglomerate in China, announced today they had signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to jointly develop a branded Premium Outlet Center® in Pudong, Shanghai, China.

Simon Property Group is the world's largest developer, owner and operator of outlet shopping centers, with interests in 70 Premium Outlet Centers located in the United States, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Mexico and Puerto Rico.

Simon's Premium Outlets® portfolio combines leading designer brands, high quality environments, value pricing, and direct marketing to create very successful outlet destinations in major markets. The existing Premium Outlets portfolio comprises industry-leading properties including Woodbury Common Premium Outlets (New York City), Orlando Premium Outlets, Desert Hills Premium Outlets (Palm Springs, California), Las Vegas Premium Outlets, Gotemba Premium Outlets (Tokyo, Japan) and Yeoju Premium Outlets (Seoul, South Korea).

Bailian Group is the largest retail conglomerate in China, engaging various retail businesses such as department stores, shopping malls, and supermarkets. At present, there are about 6,000 stores operated by Bailian located in China.

The MOU provides for the establishment of a formal joint venture between Simon and Bailian with respect to a proposed Premium Outlet Center project in the Pudong area of Shanghai owned by the Pudong City Government and adjacent to the Shanghai Disney Resort. Bailian and Simon will jointly execute this project.

The MOU also provides the joint venture the opportunity to develop additional Premium Outlet Centers in mainland China.

Commenting on the MOU, Ma Xin Sheng, Bailian's Chairman said, "Simon is the world's largest real estate company and the leading developer of upscale outlet centers in the world. We believe a business partnership between Simon and Bailian will produce synergies in the design and development of an outlet center adjacent to the Shanghai Disney Resort and become an exciting outlet shopping destination offering international designer and name brands at discounted prices."

"We are very pleased to be working with a world class organization like Bailian to bring Premium Outlets to China," said John Klein, President of Simon's Premium Outlets division. "We already welcome large numbers of Chinese visitors to our outlet centers around the world and we look forward to also serving these valued shoppers in China."

About Bailian Group Co.,Ltd.Bailian is the largest trade and retail conglomerate in China, ranked 33rd of the top 500 Chinese companies and 66th of the top 250 global retailers. At present, there are four listed companies including Shanghai Friendship, Lianhua Supermarket, Shanghai Material Trade and Shanghai No.1 Medical under the control of Bailian Group. With its 6,000 various stores in 20 provinces across China, Bailian Group is well-known for its different store brands such as No.1 Department Store, Yongan Department Store, Oriental Department Store, Nextage Mall and Bailian Nanfan, Xijiao, Youyicheng, Zhonghuan Shopping Malls, Bailian Brand Outlet Plaza and Lianhua Supermarket and Hualian Supermarket. For further information, please visit the Bailian Group Co.,Ltd. website: www.bailiangroup.com.

About Simon Property Group
Simon Property Group, Inc. is an S&P 500 company and the largest real estate company in the U.S. The Company currently owns or has an interest in 337 retail real estate properties comprising 245 million square feet in North America and Asia. Simon Property Group is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana and employs more than 5,000 people worldwide. The Company's common stock is publicly traded on the NYSE under the symbol SPG. For further information, visit the Simon Property Group website at www.simon.com.
SOURCE Simon Property Group, Inc.

Petition pushes Kembla Grange Factory Outlet Centre

2012-03-04T18:07:00.001-05:00

BY SHANNON TONKIN 05 Mar, 2012 04:00 AM - ILLAWARRA MERCURY

Wollongong councillor Bede Crasnich believes within a week he will have hundreds of signatures in support of the Kembla Grange factory outlet centre proposal to present to fellow councillors.

The petition, Cr Crasnich said, will give residents the chance to collectively voice their support for a proposal to build a factory outlet centre and homemaker complex on vacant industrial land on Wyllie Rd.

The proponents, Leda Holdings and Total Recycling, sought a zoning change to have bulky goods and factory outlet uses included in the site's light industrial classification.

How ever, Wollongong councillors rejected the proposal in a 7-6 vote last week amid concerns over the possible impact the complex would have on existing retail centres and the loss of prime industrial land.

Cr Crasnich has since lodged a rescission motion that will bring the issue back to the council to be re-discussed next Monday.

He is chasing at least 300 signatures on the petition.

"When council made the decision to knock this back they effectively chose to refuse the community the right to have their say on the matter," he said.

"This petition will give people the chance to have that say and hopefully convince the council to progress this zoning proposal so formal community consultation can occur."

Cr Crasnich said he planned to doorknock homes in Ward 3 to gather signatures.

However, anyone who wanted to sign the petition could do so by sending an email to cr.bcrasnich @wollongong.nsw.gov.au and their names would be added to the petition.

Tanger Outlet Center Westgate Hosts Ground Breaking Ceremony

2012-03-04T17:59:00.001-05:00

Company Release - 03/01/201208:30

GREENSBORO, N.C., Feb. 29, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

WHAT:
	Ground Breaking Ceremony scheduled to celebrate the beginning of construction on the new 328,000 square foot Tanger Outlet Center Westgate in Glendale, Arizona.
	Situated on 38-acres, the Tanger Outlet Center Westgate in Glendale, Arizona will be located on Loop 101 and Glendale Avenue in Western Phoenix. This site is adjacent to Westgate City Center, Jobing.com Arena, University of Phoenix Stadium, Cabela's and The Renaissance Glendale Hotel and Spa. The 328,000 square foot first phase of this upscale Tanger Outlet Center is underway, offering the nation's best outlet shopping including some 85 brand name outlet stores at opening. The modern design will feature a pedestrian friendly layout that will function as an open-air mall with both covered and uncovered landscaped courtyards and a park-like setting throughout the complex.

WHEN:	Wednesday, March 14, 2012
	11:00 AM

WHERE:	Construction site off Loop 101 and Glendale Avenue in Western Phoenix.

VIP'S TO ATTEND:	Steven B. Tanger, President and CEO, will host the ground breaking ceremonies.
	Guest speakers will include:
	ArizonaGovernor Brewer's Chief of Staff, Eileen Klein
	The Honorable Elaine Scruggs, Mayor of Glendale
	Glendale City Council Member, Joyce Clark
	Sherry Henry, Director, Arizona Office of Tourism
	Barry Broome, President and CEO, Greater Phoenix Economic Council

EVENTS:	10:30 a.m. Guests arrive
PHOTO OPS:	10:55 a.m. Speakers take stage
	11:00 a.m. Ceremony begins
	11:05 a.m. Flag Ceremony – Glendale Fire Honor Guard
	11:10 a.m. National Anthem performed by Mountain Ridge High School
	11:20 a.m. State, local dignitaries and Tanger officials make presentations
	11:50 a.m. Steven B. Tanger presents donations to local honorary charities: From the Heart and Banner Health Foundation
	12:00 noon Official Ground Breaking "Tossing of the Dirt" Lunch and beverages will be served following the ceremony Music provided by Kellis High School Band

Ice rink ‘will return’ to McArthurGlen Designer Outlet site

2012-03-04T17:59:00.000-05:00

By Mike Laycock , Chief reporter - The York Press

ORGANISERS of York’s ice rink say it will return to the McArthurGlen Designer Outlet in November after attracting a record 46,200 skaters during its recent season.

They say analysis of visitors has shown that almost half came from outside the county, and the outlet’s shops also saw record sales during the rink’s season.

Maria Farrugia, executive producer at Lunchbox Theatrical Productions and organiser of the event, said: “With 45 per cent of customers coming from outside North Yorkshire, the event is bringing people into the area, having a direct impact on other businesses in and around the city.”

She said she believed the increase in skater numbers was a result of Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland – a funfair, Christmas market and Santa’s grotto – which was created alongside the rink, as staff had received so many compliments about it.

She said that the eighth year of the rink was now being planned and she could confirm that the Winter Wonderland and rink would open on Saturday, November 24, and run through until January 6, 2013.

Mike Thomas, centre manager for the McArthur Glen Designer Outlet, said he was “thrilled” the event was such a success in its second year at the complex.

He said: “We are already planning an even more exciting event this year to ensure our visitor numbers keep increasing.”

The rink was originally based in the Eye of York until complaints from officials at nearby York Crown Court about noise and disturbance, after which it relocated to the outlet at Fulford, where there is room for a much bigger skating surface.

The rink won the York Tourism Awards in 2010 and has been voted one of the top ten ice rinks nationwide by several national newspapers and best ice rink to visit in the country by BBC Radio 2.

Tanger Outlet Center Westgate to create 1600 jobs

2012-03-01T12:00:00.000-05:00

By: Deborah Stocks - ABC15

Plans for Palm Beach Fashion Outlets

2012-03-01T11:30:00.000-05:00

By Emily Roach, Palm Beach Post

Demolition of the 1960's era Palm Beach Mall should start within about two months as developers plan its replacement with the Palm Beach Fashion Outlets.

Down will go 1.2 million square feet of enclosed, traditional mall that sits off Interstate 95 at Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard. Up will go 1.1 million square feet of outdoor-style mall, West Palm Beach Building Director Doug Wise said. Developers have said they plan to have outlet stores and traditional retailers.

New England Development, a Massachusetts-based real estate firm, partnered with Eastern Real Estate and Lubert-Adler to buy the 80-acre mall in October for $35.5 million.

Tom Carabine, who is working with the city for New England Development, said the design guidelines and master concept plan were submitted to the city Wednesday.

With a hoped for April start, the demolition will be carefully crafted to allow JCPenney and George's Music to remain open, Wise said.

"They've got some challenges to work through, to keep Penney's open, safe," Wise said.

The new configuration — an estimated $150 million project — will bring new life to the neighborhood and jobs, Wise said.

"It's going to be a huge improvement to the neighborhood," Wise said.

No one is identifying the new tenants, but marketing materials used to promote the center at trade shows last year envisioned such premium outlets as Nordstrom Rack, Bloomingdale's Outlet Store and Last Call by Neiman Marcus and such big-box staples as TJ Maxx, Bed Bath & Beyond and the Burlington Coat Factory.

New England Development CEO Stephen Karp said last month that a separate grocery store may be built at the outlet mall as well.

Originally, the new owners looked at renovating the mall, but decided there was too much competition in the enclosed mall market here, Carabine said. The new plans show an outlet center in one large block in the middle of the property with another row of stores lined up on the I-95 perimeter of the property.

Both JCPenney and George's Music are slated to move to the interstate side. Firestone is also staying at the mall.

"JCPenney wants to move into a new store before they give us back the old store," Carabine said. "They're not going to close at all."

The six phases outlined in preliminary site plans given to the city indicate the central block and replacement stores will be built first. Once JCPenney and George's move, then that portion will be torn down and more stores built along I-95.

Construction would start this fall, with those first stores opening in fall 2013, if the timeline holds.
"It's pretty aggressive," Carabine said.

So far, testing for hazards has found asbestos in "little bits, which you would expect to find in a mall this old," he said. The asbestos will be abated before the demolition.

Prospective Kembla Grange factory outlet developers plead case

2012-02-29T19:02:00.000-05:00

BY SHANNON TONKIN - 25 Feb, 2012 04:00 AM - Illawarra Mercury

The consortium behind a proposed factory outlet and bulky goods centre at Kembla Grange has made a last-ditch attempt to convince Wollongong councillors to support the project.

Representatives from international development group Leda Holdings and the site's owner, Total Recycling, met councillors yesterday afternoon to champion a rezoning proposal that would pave the way for the $110 million complex to be built on 18ha of land on Wyllie Rd.

Councillors will consider whether to allow retail use on the site, now zoned for industrial purposes, at Monday night's council meeting.

The proponents said the project would have enormous economic and social benefits, employing 800 people during construction and about 1000 shop workers once complete.

"We're asking the council to back this proposal in principle, so it can go on public exhibition and the community gets the chance to have its say," Total Recycling's Bill Bartlett told councillors yesterday.

The group earlier this week warned councillors the project would be "dead in the water" if the rezoning proposal was knocked back on Monday.

"We're not asking for development approval, or for the council to give final approval to the rezoning. All we're asking is councillors allow this to progress through to the next stage so the public can comment," Mr Bartlett said yesterday.

He also cited a 2009 IRIS survey of 404 Illawarra residents which found 94 per cent of respondents supported the proposal. The city's councillors have raised concerns over the impact the development could have on existing retail centres at Warrawong, Shellharbour and Wollongong, and the loss of industrial land if the zoning is amended.

But Mr Bartlett yesterday said the development would not destabilise existing shopping hubs or replace the city centre retail experience.

Mr Bartlett also took aim at the tone of the staff report to councillors.

He said council officers "are not looking at the factual data" that accompanied the rezoning application and were ignoring the fall of manufacturing in both the Illawarra and across the nation.

Neinver starts construction on second Warsaw outlet

2012-02-29T08:16:00.000-05:00

From Lokale Immobilia by Adam Zdrodowski - Warsaw Business Journal

Developer Neinver has launched construction on Factory Warszawa Annopol, the company’s second outlet center project in the Polish capital. The scheme is located between ul. Annopol, ul. Toruńska and ul. Białołęcka in Warsaw’s Białołęka district and is scheduled to be completed in Q1 2013.

The development, which is being built by Budimex, will feature 19,700 sqm of space and will house 120 retail units. A parking lot located in front of the building will provide parking spaces for 1,400 cars.

“Ten years after the opening in [Warsaw’s] Ursus [district] of the first outlet center in Poland, we are building the second Factory in Warsaw, this time on the right bank of the Vistula River,” Barbara Topolska, general director of Neinver Polska, said in a statement.

“This part of the city has been developing dynamically in recent years and this is why we have decided to enrich its offer with a well-located and communicated outlet center in Białołęka,” Ms Topolska added.

The architectural design of Factory Warszawa Annopol was furnished by the APA Wojciechowski studio. The investment is the first retail project in Poland to have been BREEAM certified at the planning stage.

Nordstrom Rack launches ads in Words With Friends

2012-02-29T08:14:00.000-05:00

February 21, 2012 -By Rachel Lamb - Luxury Daily

Nordstrom Rack banner ad on WWF

Department store chain Nordstrom is targeting aspirational consumers through mobile banner advertisements for its Nordstrom Rack locations in the popular gaming application, Words With Friends.

Nordstrom is promoting a sale in its discount chain that will serve to drive consumers in-store. It also provides a location-based map so that users can find the closest Rack.

“Gaming app inventory can bring value to a luxury brand, but a brand must chose the right game – one that matches the quality and audience of the luxury brand,” said Elena Perez, director of marketing at Medialets, New York.

“Likewise, it’s important that the ad placement is integrated in such a way that it complements rather than disrupts the game experience,” she said.

Words with Nordstrom
The Nordstrom Rack banner ad appears at the bottom of the Words With Friends screen.

Nordstrom Rack banner ad
The “clear the rack” sale offers up to 75 percent off of designer goods at Nordstrom Rack stores Feb. 14-20.

When it expands, the banner ad includes an option to find a Nordstrom Rack store using the mobile device’s GPS.

The content on the landing pages are optimized for mobile.
Since Words With Friends is a game, it is likely that Nordstrom is trying to attract younger consumers.

Younger consumers are less likely to be able to buy from Nordstrom. Therefore, drawing these types of consumers to Nordstrom’s outlet Rack locations may help the department store establish relationships with younger consumers who may grow up to shop at full-price Nordstrom locations.

Expanded banner ad
Racking up points
Nordstrom is not the first luxury department store to use banner ads on Words With Friends.

In fact, New York-based department store Bergdorf Goodman used Words With Friends to drive foot traffic to its store with a location-based banner ad promoting an in-house event.

Bergdorf’s banner ad at the bottom of the screen endorsed a meet-and-greet with designer Nancy Gonzalez at the brand’s store that consumers could RSVP to on Facebook (see story).

However, Bergdorf’s content post-banner ad was not optimized for mobile, which could have made it difficult for consumers to RSVP to an event or even spend time with the brand.

Meanwhile, Nordstrom helped consumers further by offering to scout out the nearest Rack location for them and optimizing the content.

Nordstrom Rack map
“Mobile-optimized landing pages are important to any brand that wants to drive mobile audiences to their Web site [and] luxury brands are no exception,” Ms. Perez said. “For a consumer, a non-optimized mobile landing page will be difficult to navigate and easy to abandon.

“A non-optimized landing page appears broken and will undermine the experience and value of the campaign,” she said. “That said, brands that don’t have a mobile-optimized Web site or landing page are not out of luck.

“Mobile rich-media ads allow them to integrate the same type of content and interaction within the creative, sparing the time and cost of development on the Web site.”

Premium Outlets could be coming to Wesley Chapel

2012-02-29T05:30:00.000-05:00

by Preston Rudie - 10 News

Tanger Outlet Center Westgate to open in Glendale

2012-02-26T21:16:00.001-05:00

New Outlet Mall to Open in Glendale: MyFoxPHOENIX.com

SOURCE: My FOX Pheonix

Armed Robbery at Premium Outlets

2012-02-26T21:16:00.000-05:00

Source: The Beacon News

Aurora police hope the public can provide information on an armed robbery of a watch store earlier this month.

According to police, on Feb. 4 a man dressed in black walked into the Tag Heuer store at 1650 Premium Outlets Boulevard and told two clerks that he was robbing the store. The suspect then took out a small handgun, handed a bag to the clerks and told the clerks to put women’s watches and cash from the register into the bag, police said. In total, the robber took $65,000 worth of watches, plus an undisclosed amount cash, police said.

After the clerks handed over the bag, the robber walked out the store and headed south, police said. Police described the suspect as between 5-foot-11 and 6-foot-2 who, in addition to his black clothing, had some sort of black cloth covering his face.

There were no customers in the store at the time of the robbery and no one was injured, police said.

Anyone with information is asked to call investigators at 630-256-5500 or CrimeStoppers at 630-892-1000. CrimeStoppers callers are anonymous and qualify for a cash reward of up to $5,000.

Tanger Outlets Closes on $250 Million 7-Year Unsecured Term Loan

2012-02-24T09:12:00.002-05:00

Company Release - 02/24/2012 08:30

GREENSBORO, N.C., Feb. 24, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc. (NYSE:SKT) today announced that its operating partnership, Tanger Properties Limited Partnership, has closed on the $250 million seven-year unsecured bank term loan announced last week. Based on Tanger's current credit ratings, the loan bears interest at LIBOR plus 180 basis points. The facility matures February 2019, and is prepayable without penalty beginning February 2015.

"We are pleased to benefit from the current pricing advantage of the bank term loan market relative to the public bond market," stated Steven B. Tanger, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Proceeds from this facility will be used to partially repay our unsecured revolving lines of credit, increasing our available line capacity to more than $400 million. This loan rebalances our debt maturity schedule, while maintaining our staggered approach to maturities," he added.

Wells Fargo Securities, LLC served as Book Runner for the transaction. Co-Lead Arrangers were Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, SunTrust Bank and PNC Bank, National Association. Each of the facility's lenders are also lenders of Tanger's $500 million syndicated unsecured revolving line of credit. Participating banks in the term loan are as follows:

Name of Institution	Facility Title
Wells Fargo Bank, National Association	Administrative Agent
SunTrust Bank	Syndication Agent
PNC Bank, National Association	Syndication Agent
Regions Bank	Documentation Agent
Branch Banking and Trust Company	Lender
US Bank, National Association	Lender

Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc., (NYSE:SKT), is a publicly-traded REIT headquartered in Greensboro, North Carolina that presently operates and owns, or has an ownership interest in, a portfolio of 39 upscale outlet shopping centers in 25 states coast to coast, totaling approximately 11.8 million square feet leased to over 2,500 stores operated by more than 450 different brand name companies. More than 175 million shoppers visit Tanger Outlet Centers annually. For more information on Tanger Outlet Centers, call 1-800-4TANGER or visit the Company's web site at www.tangeroutlet.com.

More outlets coming to Destiny USA

2012-02-23T13:54:00.000-05:00

Video by John Berry / The Post-Standard

Tanger Outlets Launches TangerSTYLE Studio With Celebrity Stylist Vanessa Lachey

2012-02-22T16:59:00.000-05:00

Company Release - 02/22/2012 10:03

GREENSBORO, N.C., Feb. 22, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Expanding on Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc.'s (NYSE:SKT) successful TangerSTYLE Magazine, now in its twelfth fashion season, Tanger is introducing the TangerSTYLE Studio launching this spring. TangerSTYLE Studio is a multi-channel fashion studio designed to highlight the latest looks and trends that can be found at Tanger Outlets across the country and Canada. Today, outlet shopping offers the best value with the latest and current season fashions. It truly makes its mark as the best destination for value and fashion. TangerSTYLE Studio will live on Tanger Outlets' website and social channels seasonally in an online LookBook and will also be played on video monitors throughout each Tanger Outlet Center.

Be First to Know! TangerSTYLE's spring campaign will feature sensational trends and style tips from celebrity stylist Vanessa Lachey. Vanessa is Tanger's fashion authority this season and throughout the year she will be featured in TangerSTYLE Studio. Vanessa will share her exclusive tips to help make this your ultimate style guide to spring's most irresistible designer fashions and accessories at unbelievable savings. "I love that Tanger Outlets has all the trends and fashion that are HOT right now and for SO MUCH LESS EVERYDAY!", said Vanessa Lachey. Look for Vanessa on Tanger's website, at select properties for personal appearances, in print and direct mail throughout the year.

"The looks and styles you will see featured in TangerSTYLE are only a small sample of the extensive selection that each of our Tanger Outlet Centers has to offer you this spring. I enjoyed working with Vanessa on this exciting campaign for Tanger Outlets," said Steven B. Tanger. "Our goal is to educate all fashion-savvy consumers about outlet shopping and let them know it is truly the best destination for brand name value. Vanessa's great sense of style is the perfect complement to Tanger Outlet Centers' collection of the world's finest brand names and designer outlet store offerings."

Tanger is also introducing its own Fashion Week, which will take place at many Tanger Centers April 9-14. This style-filled week will showcase the best spring looks and offer customers exciting special events including a fashion-forward onsite contest where 6-8 lucky finalists will each be given a two hundred dollar gift card and ninety minutes to create a TangerSTYLE look. A fashion panel comprised of local personalities will judge the final looks and the top contestant with the best value look will receive a five hundred dollar gift card! Centers will also host a Stiletto Sprint where contestants step out in their favorite high heels to compete in a Fifty yard dash. The winning contestant will receive a two hundred and fifty dollar gift card. And for the social set, if you want to be in the in-crowd and enjoy more fashion action, Tanger shoppers are invited to play the Be Your Own Stylist, our Facebook fashion competition where contestants are invited to upload photos of their It Girl TangerSTYLE. One lucky contestant will win a $2000.00 shopping spree. Please visit www.tangeroutlet.com for rules and regulations and specific information about TangerSTYLE fashion week events at your favorite Tanger Outlet Center.

TangerSTYLE Q & A with Vanessa Lachey

What are your favorite Trends this spring?
"Wow, there are so many great ones, but I have to say that I'm most excited about Color Blocking! I love how the blocks of color pop and can help showcase your best assets!"

Must have Accessory?
"With all the bold handbags and fabulous jewelry, how can you choose just one? But I can't live without a great pair of shoes!"

What are you most looking forward to this spring?
"From clothes to moods, everything is lighter and brighter. I'm loving Yellow! Just picturing a pop of this sunny color makes me smile. From Bold Color Blocking to splashes of yellow and the little Pink Dress, Tanger style takes you inside what's hot for spring!"

Vanessa Lachey Bio
Vanessa began her fashion, beauty, and celebrity career by winning the 1998 "Miss Teen USA" pageant. Lachey went on to serve as a backstage correspondent on the pageant circuit for several years. For two seasons, Lachey was the New York-based correspondent for ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT, the #1 syndicated entertainment newsmagazine in the world. In January 2009, Lachey hosted and judged the hit ABC reality show TRUE BEAUTY and returned again as the host during the summer of 2010. Recently, Lachey guest starred on CBS's hit remake of HAWAII FIVE-O and also on NBC'sEmmy and Golden Globe Award winning show 30 ROCK. Currently, Lachey is the co-host of the popular ABC Series WINTER WIPE OUT. After meeting Nick Lachey and starring in his music video "What's Left of Me", the pair dated for nearly three years. They were married July 15, 2011.

Premium Outlets to be opened in Malacca, Sepang

2012-02-22T14:45:00.000-05:00

By DESIREE TRESA GASPER - Thestar.com

JOHOR BARU: Two new Premium Outlets will be set up in Malacca and Sepang soon, said Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen.

She said the Johor Premium Outlet (JPO) has far surpassed its expected tourist arrivals and the setting up of similar outlets in Malacca and Sepang would definitely boost tourist spending figures in the country.

"JPO has managed to attract more than one millions visitors since it opened in December, with 80% of them being domestic tourists," she said after attending a briefing session and visiting the outlet in Kulaijaya here Sunday.

She said the outlet in Johor itself would help boost tourist spending in the country.

"In 2011, 30% of tourism expenditure was chanelled to shopping and this is an increase of 3% from the previous year.

"We expect this number to continue to increase and we target expenditure for shopping to be up to 38% by the year 2020," she said.

The Premium Outlet offers high-end branded labels at discounted rates.

Couple arrested at Lee Premium Outlets charged with Oxycontin distribution

2012-02-21T17:08:00.001-05:00

By Dick Lindsay, Berkshire Eagle Staff

LEE -- A married couple from Chester allegedly tried to sell $4,500 worth of a potent pain medication in Lee, according to local police.

Allan and Frances Margraff, 53 and 46, respectively, each face one count of distributing Oxycontin, possession with intent to sell the prescription drug, and conspiracy to violate the state's drug laws.

The husband and wife were held briefly on Wednesday afternoon in the town's lockup, after being arrested at the Lee Premium Outlets shopping complex following an ongoing investigation, said Lee Police Officer Ryan Lucy.

The Margraffs were released on their own behalf and will answer to the drug charges in Southern Berkshire District Court at a later date.

The couple was arrested around 1 p.m. after several Lee police officers and members of the Berkshire County Drug Task Force witnessed them supposedly selling the painkillers in the parking lot of the Premium Outlets near Exit 2 of the Massachusetts Turnpike.

Authorities say the Margraffs allegedly had 75 Oxycontin pills worth $4,500 if sold on the street.

Casino plans The Premier Outlet Shoppes at Foxwoods

2012-02-21T17:08:00.000-05:00

by By Donna Goodison - BostonHerald.com

Upping the ante as Massachusetts prepares to welcome casino development, Connecticut’s Foxwoods Resort Casino marked its 20th anniversary today by unveiling plans for The Premier Outlet Shoppes at Foxwoods, a new $100 million-plus luxury retail outlet center.

Construction of the 320,000-square-foot center — with its 85 luxury outlets and a retractable roof for seasonable outdoor shopping — is set to begin this spring at the Mashantucket casino, which is about 100 miles from Boston.

Expected to open in the summer of 2013, the outlets will be a collaboration between casino operator Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation and Gordon Group Holdings, a Greenwich, Conn., retail development firm that will lease the land from the tribe and manage the center.

“We have some of the best retailers in the world coming here,” said chairman Sheldon Gordon. “It’s going to be one of the most successful outlet centers in the country because of the huge numbers of people that come to Foxwoods. They will now have the opportunity to buy the best merchandise available at outlet prices.”

Gordon declined to drop any retailers’ names, but said many already are signed. More details are expected to be revealed in six weeks. Gordon Group’s retail projects have included the shops at Foxwoods rival Mohegan Sun, The Forum at Caesars, Bridgemarket in New York City, San Francisco Center and the Beverly Center in Los Angeles.

The new Foxwoods outlets — about half the size of Wrentham Village Premium Outlets in Massachusetts — will connect the MGM Grand Hotel to the Grand Pequot Hotel.

The nearest, sizable retail centers in Connecticut include the 125-plus-store Crystal Mall in Waterford about 15 miles away and the Clinton Crossing Premium Outlets, which has 70 stores and is about 40 miles away.

“Our 20th anniversary celebration gives us a chance to reflect upon the many significant accomplishments of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation and Foxwoods Resort Casino over the past two decades as well as celebrate a new beginning,” Foxwoods CEO Scott Butera said in a statement. “The many initiatives we are announcing today signify our relentless desire to improve and achieve excellence by providing extraordinary experiences to all of those who visit Foxwoods.”

Gambling revenues at Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun have fallen in recent years, and the outlets will be another way to increase non-gaming revenue.

“Foxwoods is desperately trying to get people to be more loyal to them before Massachusetts starts casinos in two or three years,” said Richard McGowan, a casino expert at Boston College. “It’s a way of building up loyalty and also trying to make themselves much more of a destination casino than they have been. The best defense is a good offense.”

Foxwoods also formally unveiled its new “Anything But Ordinary” branding campaign and improvements to its guest rewards program.

2 Armed robberies at Tanger Outlets have people on edge

2012-02-20T16:40:00.001-05:00

Reported by: Jenni Joyce - CBS21

Tanger outlet mall set for Westgate site in Glendale

2012-02-20T16:40:00.000-05:00

by Lesley Wright - Feb. 16, 2012 05:56 PM The Republic | azcentral.com

Glendale's beleaguered Westgate City Center should get a shot of consumer energy later this year, when Tanger Factory Outlet Centers Inc. opens a new outlet mall on the site.

The project, called Tanger Outlet Center Westgate, will feature about 85 brand-name stores in an open-air mall on 38 acres at Loop 101 and Glendale Avenue.

"This shows that Westgate is not dead," said Glendale Councilwoman Joyce Clark. "This is a sign that things are turning around for Glendale and for Arizona."

The 328,000-square-foot mall is designed in a modern style to merge with Westgate, which has large, colorful billboards scattered around an outdoor plaza with a fountain that "dances" to music.

Designs show that the outlet center also is oriented toward pedestrians, with courtyards -- some covered -- and a parklike atmosphere. Like Westgate, the buildings vary in height and the setting will have a few towers.

The project has been in the works for months, with Glendale's design-review team pushing it through the system in two days. But Tanger made the official announcement only Thursday. The company had a one-sentence statement about the project in its earnings statement released Wednesday.

Steven B. Tanger, president and CEO of Tanger, a North Carolina-based company, said the project should do well in the "dynamic" Phoenix market.

Company executives and city officials plan to break ground within a couple of weeks.

Outlet malls, which generally send name-brand products for discounts of up to 75 percent, have boomed amid the economic slump.

Tanger also has signed a sublease to build an outlet at Loop 101 and Indian Bend Road, near the
Talking Stick Resort and two other companies are considering outlet malls for the Valley.

A Tanger outlet in Barstow, Calif., features popular brands such as Banana Republic, Coach, Gap, Michael Kors, Reebok and Tommy Hilfiger.

Glendale Mayor Elaine Scruggs said the upscale Tanger malls "are a favorite among all shoppers because of the variety of brand-name products they offer for the entire family."

Tanger did not release a cost for the project Thursday, but Glendale officials said the city is not putting any money into the project or providing any incentives beyond the expedited review of the design.

Construction alone should create 700 to 800 jobs, with about 900 full- and part-time retail positions available once the mall opens in time for holiday shopping later this year.

"Tanger's new location in Glendale means new jobs, new brand-name shopping opportunities for residents and tourists and an increase in tax revenue for the city," said Glendale City Manager Ed Beasley.

The city and Westgate can use all the help they can get. Westgate businesses have been complaining for months about low foot traffic.

"The shopping component will bring a lot of people to the area," said Glendale Planning Director Jon Froke. "We think it's great for Westgate."

The Westgate shopping and entertainment center opened with a bang in 2006, three years after Glendale built an arena for the Coyotes ice-hockey team. Since then, the dour economy and dealings to keep the hockey team from leaving the city have been a drag on the area.

In 2011, Tanger announced plans to build a major West Valley shopping center. The company pulled back from plans to build the outlet near Loop 101 and Camelback Road when potential tenants lacked interest. Tanger then opened talks with the Ellman Cos. in May.

The Ellman Cos. went on to lose the bulk of Westgate to lenders in a foreclosure in September, and a new management team has been trying to reinvigorate the area.

7 new stores at The Shoppes at Sands

2012-02-19T14:24:00.001-05:00

By Lynn Olanoff | The Express-Times

Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem announced plans for seven new outlet stores and a new Asian restaurant at today’s grand opening for its Shoppes at Sands.

The new stores — Van Heusen, Bass, Izod, Tommy Hilfiger, Dressbarn, Under Armour and Art of Bread by Georges Perrier — will open this spring. The new Asian restaurant will open in the casino over the summer, officials said.

The nine-store outlet mall this month added five stores — Chico’s, Coach Factory, Corningware, Corelle and More, Hartstrings Children’s Clothing Boutique and Peeps & Company. In addition to the seven stores announced today, another 10 are expected to open by year’s end, bringing the total to 31, Sands Bethlehem President Robert DeSalvio said.

“We’re in the business of building traffic,” Las Vegas Sands President and Chief Operating Officer Michael Leven said while in town for the grand opening. “You have to give people things to do. … Whether you play or not is not relevant.”

Depending on the mall’s success, Las Vegas Sands may seek to expand it, Leven said, pointing toward a vacant building across the street. He said a mall expansion is more likely than a hotel expansion, previously proposed by Las Vegas Sands Chairman and CEO Sheldon Adelson.

“I think we’re far off from another hotel tower,” Leven said today. “I think there’s a lot more development we can do that’s more appropriate for the site.”

Sands opened its 302-room hotel Memorial Day weekend, and in the last three months of the year the hotel averaged a 54.5 percent occupancy rate. Leven said he believes the hotel will average a 70 percent occupancy rate in 2012.

Today’s grand opening featured a fundraising fashion show for the Bethlehem Area Public Library’s Room to Grow expansion project.

The show raised between $20,000 and $30,000 for the project, which will expand the children’s and teens’ sections at both the library’s main and South Side branches, library Executive Director Janet Fricker said. The money raised tonight will go toward the $400,000 renovation of the South Side branch, for which the library also just received a $150,000 grant from an anonymous foundation, she said.

The library hopes to raise another $150,000 in the next six months so the South Side work can be completed this fall, Fricker said.

“We’re hoping everybody sees how fabulous it looks and rushes to give us contributions to finish the project,” she said.

The library has completed about $1 million worth of work so far at the main library but has to raise another approximate $800,000 to finish the entire $2.5 million Room to Grow project, Fricker said.

Jersey Gardens’ Solar Power System Completed

2012-02-19T13:52:00.000-05:00

source: NJToday

ELIZABETH – This week, Glimcher Realty Trust announced the completion of a 4.8-megawatt SunPower rooftop solar system at Jersey Gardens in Elizabeth. The project, which is among the largest rooftop systems in North America, broke ground in June 2011 and began producing power this week.

The rooftop solar system is comprised of more than 15,000 high efficiency SunPower panels, and generates approximately the amount of power required for 564 New Jersey homes. It is expected to generate the equivalent of 11 percent of the mall’s electrical demand.

Anchored by tenants like Gap Outlet, H&M, Lord & Taylor Outlet, Neiman Marcus Last Call, Nike Factory Store and Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th, Jersey Gardens is the largest outlet mall in New Jersey. The mall was built by Glimcher Realty Trust in 1999 on the site of a former landfill.

“There has been a significant commitment to collaboration by all of the entities involved in this project as well as the City of Elizabeth, which is evidenced by the completion of the project in just seven months,” said Marshall Loeb, president and COO, Glimcher Realty Trust.

The solar power system at Jersey Gardens was made possible through a partnership with Gerding Edlen Development, Inc. and Gerding Edlen Sustainable Solutions.

According to Christina Skellenger of Gerding Edlen, “We are excited to see this monumental project come to fruition.”

This project is the result of a power purchase agreement between Glimcher Realty Trust and Clean Focus Corporation. Under the agreement, Clean Focus financed and owns the system. All solar renewable energy credits and environmental benefits associated with the system will be owned by Clean Focus. Jersey Gardens will buy the electricity at a predetermined, predictable price, providing a long-term hedge against rising power prices with no initial capital investment.

“This project is a perfect example of how working with the right partners can create a model for success. Because of the experience our partners — Glimcher Realty Trust, Gerding Edlen, SunPower, and PSEG — we were able to successfully work through the challenges of installing a very large solar project on the mall’s rooftop. We are pleased to be a part of a comprehensive sustainability program at the mall,” said Stanley Chin, president and CEO of Clean Focus.

The Jersey Gardens solar system was designed and installed by SunPower Corp., which will also operate and maintain the system. The system uses the SunPower®T5 Solar Roof Tile, which is the solar industry’s first non-penetrating rooftop product that combines a high-efficiency SunPower solar panel, frame and mounting system into a single, pre-engineered unit. Tilted at a 5-degree angle, the system will approximately double the energy generated per square meter compared to other systems that are mounted flat onto commercial rooftops.

“Only with SunPower high efficiency technology is the Jersey Gardens roof accommodating this 4.8-megawatt system, which will reliably generate power over the long term, maximizing savings on monthly electricity costs,” said Howard Wenger, SunPower president, regions. “We applaud our project partners for their leadership in installing this significant system, and helping New Jersey meet its renewable energy goals.”

The Jersey Gardens solar system was financed in part by the Public Service Electric and Gas Co. (PSE&G) Solar Loan Program. The Solar Loan Program can help qualified PSE&G electric customers finance from 40 to 60 percent of the total cost of their solar system. The loan can be re-paid using Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs) generated by the solar system, with a minimum value for each credit guaranteed by PSE&G.

“We’re always happy to see one of our solar loan projects in service,” said Al Matos, vice president – renewables and energy solutions for PSE&G. “But it’s particularly rewarding when we can help finance one of the largest rooftop solar systems in North America at a premier location like Jersey Gardens.”

Food Network star Aarti Sequeira at Citadel Outlets

2012-02-16T12:55:00.001-05:00

Food Network star and home chef Aarti Sequeira was cooking at Le Creuset in the Citadel Outlets

Construction of D1 Outlet to Start in February

2012-02-16T12:55:00.000-05:00

BRATISLAVA/SENEC, SLOVAKREPUBLIC – Development of Slovakia’s first outlet center, the D1 OutletBratislava located near Senec, has moved into the next phase of implementation. The 1^st of February marked the start of construction offuture discount shops, and also operations in close proximity to them. “I can say, having completedpreparatory work and secured financing, that we are today launching actualbuilding of the outlet," said Ivan Čarnogurský, CEO of the IPEC Group,which is investing in the project.

Like the preparatory phasebefore it, construction and the complete building of infrastructure will befunded mainly from the investor's own resources. “Inthese times where banks have considerably tightened financing of commercialprojects, it is primarily up to investors to follow through and make such aproject happen, to demonstrate how it can be viable and then ask the banks forfinancing,” Čarnogurský explained.

Costs to complete the firstphase of construction should reach 10 million euro. The necessary resources for the current phase were obtained by theinvestor from commercial utilization of land surrounding the future outlet,where administrative and commercial operations have gradually grown, thoughalso from transfer of available sources at the successful Salonta project inRomania.

In coming months, theinvestor will be building a town square to form the heart of the entire outlet,as well as other units that have already been constructed. A fireplace center, Hobby Expres and a baby market are scheduled to beadded to the outlet. The outlet will also include a motorway restaurant,similar in concept to those seen along Austrian autobahns. Construction work on other parts of the outlet and a retail center willrun in parallel, with a 15,000 square meter floor area (8,500 for the outlet,6,500 for retail) to be completed by spring of 2013.

Preparatory work forconstruction of the D1 Outlet began in late 2010, when infrastructure,utilities and the first section of the parking areas were completely built. The outlet already has its own fuel station, operated by Shell andconsidered to be the fastest growing operation in all of Slovakia. Last autumn, Austrian tailored furniture manufacture P. Max welcome itsfirst customers.

Global Outlet Management Announces Leasing Alliance With The Was Group

2012-02-15T13:08:00.000-05:00

Harrisburg,PA (February 14, 2012)-Global Outlet Management, Inc, based in Hershey, Pennsylvania,announced today a strategic alliance with The Was Group of North Haledon, NewJersey to lease the Outlets At Springfield-Legacy Pointe.

GlobalOutlet Management is an acknowledged leader in the upscale outlet centerindustry with over twenty years of experience in outlet retail development,leasing, marketing and property management.

TheWas Group is a leading leasing firm in the retail outlet industry forindependent developers.

TheOutlets At Springfield is a developmental outlet center that will be located inSpringfield, Illinois. The center will be over 300,000 square feet on 30 acresof land on the MacArthur Boulevard extension, adjacent to Scheels. Whencomplete, the new outlet center will contain over 80 outlet stores and isprojected to create approximately 800-900 new permanent jobs for theSpringfield area. Projected completion will be Fall 2013. Springfield drawsover 5.2 million visitors each year and is the state capital of Illinois. Inaddition, Springfield, Illinois was recently ranked in the Top-20 list of “BestPlaces to Raise a Family: by MSNBC.

In acompany statement issued today, The Was Group said, “We are extremely pleasedto announce our affiliation today with Global Outlet Management, as it relatesto The Outlets At Springfield. We are equally pleased to be working with a veryknowledgeable and seasoned industry veteran like David Ober. We are confidentthat through our combined leasing efforts that the end result will be a verysuccessful new outlet center in Springfield, Illinois. We look forward tospeaking to all of the retailers in the coming weeks about this every excitingnew center!”

GlobalOutlet Management President David Ober stated, “The Outlets At Springfield isan exciting property and our alliance with The Was Group will create acomplimentary leasing effort that translates to a successful outlet centeradding a vibrant aspect to the economy of Springfield, Illinois.”

Foradditional information, please contact Global Outlet Management at (717)314-2468 or The Was Group at (862) 203-4352.

Tanger Reports Year End Results for 2011

2012-02-14T17:12:00.000-05:00

Steven B. Tanger

Company Release - 02/14/2012 16:05

Funds From Operations Increases 37.6% for the Quarter and 22.5% for the Year

Same Center NOI Increases 6.2% in the Fourth Quarter

GREENSBORO, N.C., Feb. 14, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc.(NYSE:SKT) today reported its financial results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2011. Funds from operations available to common shareholders ("FFO"), a widely accepted supplemental measure of REIT performance, increased 37.6% for the three months ended December 31, 2011, to $41.3 million, or $0.42 per share as compared to FFO of $30.1 million, or $0.32 per share for the three months ended December 31, 2010. For the year ended December 31, 2011, FFO increased 22.5% to $138.5 million, or $1.44 per share as compared to FFO of $113.1 million, or $1.22 per share for the year ended December 31, 2010.

"We had a tremendously busy and successful year in 2011. Our stable, well diversified portfolio of outlet centers produced robust internal growth, while our new developments and acquisitions added incremental FFO throughout the year," commented Steven B. Tanger, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Through it all, we maintained our conservative balance sheet, benefiting from a secondary offering of 4.6 million common shares and a recast of our unsecured revolving credit facilities. Our dividend continues to be well covered by our operating cash flow," he added.

Highlights of Achievements for 2011

6.2% increase in same center net operating income for the fourth quarter and 5.3% for the year
23.4% blended increase in average base rental rates on renewed and released space for consolidated properties, compared to 13.8% last year
98.8% occupancy rate for consolidated properties
26.3% debt-to-total market capitalization ratio
4.07 times interest coverage ratio
3.5% increase in reported same-space tenant sales for the rolling twelve months ended December 31, 2011 to $366 per square foot, 4.9% increase for the 4^th quarter of 2011
26.8% increase in total market capitalization to $3.9 billion including $1.0 billion of debt outstanding
Opened the company's redeveloped Hilton Head I outlet center in Bluffton, SC on March 31, 2011
Dividend increase approved by Board of Directors on April 7, 2011 to raise the quarterly common share cash dividend 3.2% from $0.19375 to $0.20 per share, $0.80 per share annualized, representing the 18th consecutive year of increased dividends
Closed on a public offering of 4.6 million common shares at $25.662 per share; net proceeds to the company of $117.4 million at closing on July 6, 2011
Completed $390.3 million in acquisitions, including Prime Outlets Jeffersonville (Ohio) on June 28, 2011, Atlantic City Outlets The Walk (New Jersey) and Ocean City Factory Outlets (Maryland) on July 15, 2011, and The Outlets at Hershey (Pennsylvania) on September 30, 2011
Received an upgrade in outlook from Standard & Poor's from Stable to Positive
Broke ground on a joint venture project for a new Tanger Outlet Center south of Houston, Texas on August 30, 2011
Amended unsecured revolving lines of credit on November 10, 2011, increasing total capacity to $520 million from $400 million, reducing the LIBOR spread and facility fee by a combined 80 basis points and extending the maturity through November 2015
Completed the acquisition of the Cookstown Outlet Mall (Ontario, Canada) through existing co-ownership agreement with RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust on December 9, 2011
Added significant talent to the company's Board of Directors, with the addition of Donald G. Drapkin as a Director; and to our management team with the hire of Chad D. Perry, Executive Vice President and General Counsel

For the full report follow this LINK

Perry Ellis Launching Review Of Brands

2012-02-14T09:52:00.001-05:00

George Feldenkreis

DOWJONES NEWSWIRES

PerryEllis International Inc. (PERY) has launched a review of its brand portfolio, adisclosure the retailer offered projected disappointing fiscal fourth-quarterresults.

Thecompany has struggled in a highly competitive retail environment and from whatChairman and Chief Executive George Feldenkreis in November called a lack of"brand direction."

Underthe review disclosed Tuesday, Perry Ellis said it will look to place a heavierfocus on brands with potential for growth, while also reducing non-coreexpenses. The review is expected to be completed during the first half offiscal 2013.

Turningto its fourth-quarter results due to be released next month, the company said aheavily promotional holiday season weighed on its profitability.

"Whilewe experienced increased traffic in our direct to consumer business, we alsoincreased promotions to be in line with the environment to remaincompetitive," said Chief Operating Officer Oscar Feldenkreis.

Forthe period ended Jan. 28, the company sees a per-share profit of 35 cents to 38cents a share on roughly $229 million in revenue. Analysts polled by ThomsonReuters were looking for 44 cents and $251 million, respectively.

Sharesclosed Monday at $16.76 and were inactive in premarket trade.

Daid Tutera's appearance at Tanger Outlets at the Arches

2012-02-13T15:49:00.000-05:00

By Jenn Kane on February 10th, 2012 - LongIslandPress.com

On Saturday, February 4, nearly 600 people waited on line in the bitter cold at the Tanger Outlets at the Arches to see David Tutera, veteran event planner and star of the WE TV show My Fair Wedding. On the show, Tutera is a fairy godfather, swooping in three weeks before the big day to give brides an event beyond their wildest dreams. In real life, Tutera has 25 years of experience handling the events of celebrity clientele including Elton John and Jennifer Lopez. Brides-to-be traveled from near and far for the chance to hear some of Tutera’s advice on weddings and romance in person.

“The turn-out was phenomenal,” said Monica Tarantino, co-owner of A Taste of Home Bakery, which catered the event (including a special personalized chocolate heart for Tutera). “David was one of the most accessible celebrities in the sense that he made sure that anyone who waited in line for a picture or an autograph got one, he stood there for everyone.”

Guests warmed up once inside with an array of goodies supplied by the bakery, including chocolate-covered strawberries, heart-shaped brownies and sparkling champagne. We sat down with David before the show to find out his thoughts on black wedding dresses, fake flowers and if the man ever gets a chance to sleep.

Long Island Press: In terms of tradition, I know that sometimes when brides on the show come to you with things that may not be considered traditional; you are a little hesitant, occasionally. I wonder if your ideas of tradition have changed since you started doing the show?

David Tutera: First of all, I’ve never been a really traditional person to begin with, so I’ve always said pre-My Fair Wedding that I’ve always been the one to take the rules and break them. Unfortunately, sometimes traditions sort of set us for an expected wedding ceremony and celebration. The show, if anything, has made me realize that a lot of people are trying to have crazy themes to have a great wedding. Although that makes great television, it doesn’t necessarily in the normal mainstream world of weddings that you have to have a theme to have a wedding. You don’t—you can have color scheme or style, but you don’t you have to have theme. Although, as I travel, I listen to people who do have crazy themes… It’s interesting. And the thing for me has always been, if you have a concept that tells a form of the personality of the bride and groom, then you are adding something that’s a little bit more unique…

LIP: In the same vein, there have been brides on the show didn’t want white wedding dresses…

DT: I hesitate on that one.

LIP: I think Vera Wang did some black wedding dresses last year.

DT: Yes… others have too. If that’s what a bride wants, then I understand it, but I don’t necessarily agree with it. I’m a little bit more traditional on that. Every bride only has this one moment in their life to wear a wedding gown. You can wear a black dress 365 days of the year, every year!

LIP: In terms of brides doing their own thing, maybe not using a wedding planner, or can’t afford a planner for the whole time, what would you recommend when brides can’t use/ afford real flowers and are thinking about artificial flowers?

DT: First, I highly recommend a wedding planners in general and not just because I am one, but because it’s not necessarily a luxury, but a necessity. And I think that people think wedding planners are costly, but if you have a good wedding planner, they should be saving you money. They should be executing contracts with vendors better than the ones you would have solidified yourself. It’s still a work in progress, in the industry.

In regards to having fake flowers at a wedding: I’m not a big fan of it, but I do think if done right, it could work well. The trick to fake flowers is when you use one type of fake flowers. So, maybe all fake tulips or hydrangeas or roses; when you start to mix it together, then it looks like a bad hotel. If it were me, I’d have an abundance of candles and rose petals. I think that’s a great compromise.

LIP: Aren’t you wiped out after you’re done with an event—are you totally exhausted?

DT: Me? No, I feed off of it. I feed off the passion. You know, 25 years I’ve been doing this. I just go from one to the next. When people are planning their weddings, they get so caught up in the concerns, that it becomes almost a job as opposed to enjoyment. In reality, it’s supposed to be just as fun planning as it is the day of. It is from when you get the ring to the walk down the aisle. You’re not making life-threatening decisions—you’re making a choice to pick blue or green.

President's Day Sale

2012-02-12T20:39:00.002-05:00

Opry Mills Job Fair on Valentines Day

2012-02-12T20:34:00.000-05:00

Tuesday, February 14 from 10am to 4pm in the Regal Court.

Participants include:
Absolute Wireless, Ann Taylor Factory Store, Aquarium/Rainforest Café, Auntie Anne's Pretzels, Bath and Body Works, Calvin Klein, Carter's, Chuy's, Claire's, Coach Factory, Disney Store Outlet, dressbarn, Ecko Unlimited, Express, Famous Footwear, Gap Outlet, Banana Republic Factory Store, Haggar, Journeys / Journey's Kidz / Shi by Journeys, Lane Bryant Outlet, Levi's Outlet, Macaroni Grill, Nautica, Oakley, Old Navy Outlet, Payless Shoes, Polo Ralph Lauren Factory Store, Pyramids Café, Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th, Skechers, Steve Madden, Stride Rite, Tilly's, Tommy Bahama, Uniform Destination, Van Heusen / IZOD, VF Outlet, Victoria's Secret, Wet Seal and Wilsons Leather.

Perry Ellis International Announces Menswear Collaboration with Duckie Brown

2012-02-09T11:33:00.001-05:00

NEW YORK, Feb 09, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- PerryEllis International Inc.
(NASDAQ:PERY), owner of Perry Ellis(R), the classic American sportswear brand,
announces that it has entered into an agreement with CFDA-nominated menswear
designers Duckie Brown. The collection, called Perry Ellis(R) by Duckie
Brown(R), marks the first apparel collaboration for the Perry Ellis brand and
Duckie Brown.

The first collection will debut during New York Fashion Week in September 2012
and will feature looks designed by Duckie Brown principals, Steven Cox and
Daniel Silver.

"We are thrilled to collaborate with Duckie Brown. Steven and Daniel'stalent
for innovative menswear has made a real impact in the industry and they also
truly understand the Perry Ellis DNA," said Doug Jakubowski, the brand'sChief
Merchandising Officer. "We look forward to presenting a fresh and exciting
collection that combines their modern sensibility with the Perry Ellis
heritage."

A selection of looks inspired from the Perry Ellis by Duckie Brown collection
may be incorporated into the main Perry Ellis collection. Perry Ellis will
continue to produce the main Perry Ellis collection in addition to the Perry
Ellis by Duckie Brown collection.

"Perry Ellis is synonymous with classic-yet-updated men's apparel and thebrand
has a vibrant legacy" said Steven Cox and Daniel Silver. "Thisopportunity has
enormous potential and we are looking forward to bringing a new articulation of
that legacy to retail."

The Perry Ellis by Duckie Brown collection will be made available to select
retailers and Perry Ellis stores for spring 2013.

Coach Mens store opening in Arundel Mills

2012-02-09T11:21:00.000-05:00

ByElizabeth Janney - ElkridgePatch

Men who like high-end accessories will soon have somewhere close to home to shop.

In early spring, the Coach Men’s Factory store will open at Arundel Mills Mall, announced the Hanover shopping center in a press release this week.

The Coach outlet store for men will sell leather accessories like wallets and satchels plus shoes, jackets, watches, travel accessories and colognes, said the release.

This is the second Coach factory store to open at Arundel Mills in the past year; the Coach Factory Store for women opened in spring 2011.

“We enjoyed a banner year in 2011…and look forward to welcoming more new retailers in 2012,” said Gene Condon, general manager of Arundel Mills, in the press release.

In 2011, approximately 18 stores opened at Arundel Mills, said spokeswoman Lauren Horsley, including Best Buy Mobile, Andrew Marc, Talbots Outlet, Coach Factory Store, DKNY Company Store, Aerosoles and Merrell.

Other Coach Men's Factory stores have sprung up around the country, mostly in Texas and California, but so far, none in Maryland. The closest locations to Elkridge are Rehoboth Beach, DE, and Atlantic City, NJ.

The shopping center's announcement stated that Coach Men's Factory store will be "another first-in-market addition," citing Vince Camuto as an example among retailers that have recently entered Maryland's outlet landscape through Arundel Mills.

The Coach Men's Factory Store at Arundel Mills will open in early spring.

Flies invade Johor Premium Outlets

2012-02-08T11:53:00.001-05:00

By DESIREE TRESA GASPER- The Star Online

JOHOR BARU: While Johor Premium Outlets (JPO) in Kulaijaya has been drawing thousands of shoppers, with designer clothes and items flying off the shelves, the place has also been attracting some pesky visitors to its fine cafes – flies!

It is understood that the flies were coming from eight chicken farms near the JPO.
State Tourism and Domestic Trade Committee chairman Hoo Seong Chang said his colleague, state Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Committee chairman Datuk Abdul Aziz Kaprawi, had been tasked to meet the farm owners.

Shopper Khatijah Abdul Rahmon, 55, from Kuantan, said it was quite disturbing to have flies bothering her while she was eating.

Another shopper William Lim, 34, from Skudai, said: “It’s a nuisance to keep chasing away the flies while taking a meal.”

Engineer Antony Tan, 36, who was visiting the mall for the first time, mused:
“Yes, they do have a slight problem with the flies. But I think flies can be seen in almost every eatery in the country,” he said.

The Johor Government, however, does not see it as a laughing matter.

Mentri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman has directed state officials to resolve the problem fast – including talking to the chicken farm operators.

A JPO spokesman said the mall was fumigated every morning to tackle the fly problem.

The spokesman said the management was installing more electric fly traps in the building, especially within the food and beverage outlets.

A check by The Star found electric fly traps had been installed, while one food outlet had built a glass cover to keep the flies away.

Smash and grab at the Jackson Premium Outlets

2012-02-08T11:53:00.000-05:00

by Phil Stilton - JTOWN

The Jackson Police are investigating a “smash and grab” burglary and theft that occurred at the Wilson’s Leather Outlet Store in the Jackson Village Outlet Mall. During the overnight hours on Saturday February 4th 2012 the

Suspect(s) involved in the burglary used a wooden handled combination sledge hammer/axe to break through the tempered glass front door of the store. After breaking through the front door, the suspect(s) removed a couple racks of display items from the store.

Jackson Police are in the process of reviewing video surveillance from the Jackson Premium Outlets. Jackson Police Officer Frank Cipully handled the initial investigation. Detective Skieczius of the Ocean County Criminal Investigative Unit also responded to the incident. The Jackson Premium Outlet Mall is located at 537 Monmouth Road in Jackson Township.

Simon Property Group Reports Fourth Quarter Results

2012-02-06T13:13:00.000-05:00

INDIANAPOLIS, Feb. 3, 2012 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Simon Property Group, Inc. (the "Company" or "Simon") (NYSE: SPG) today reported results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2011.

Results for the Quarter

Net income attributable to common stockholders was $362.9 million, or $1.24 per diluted share, as compared to $217.9 million, or $0.74 per diluted share, in the prior year period. The increase on a per share basis was 67.6%.

Funds from Operations ("FFO") was $678.9 million, or $1.91 per diluted share, as compared to $638.7 million, or $1.80 per diluted share, in the prior year period. The increase on a per share basis was 6.1%.

Results for the Year

Net income attributable to common stockholders was $1.021 billion, or $3.48 per diluted share, as compared to $610.4 million, or $2.10 per diluted share, in the prior year. The increase on a per share basis was 65.7%.

FFO was $2.439 billion, or $6.89 per diluted share, as compared to $1.770 billion, or $5.03 per diluted share, in the prior year. The increase on a per share basis was 37.0%. 2010 FFO as adjusted for debt extinguishment charges was $2.121 billion or $6.03 per diluted share. The increase on an as adjusted per share basis was 14.3%.

"Our portfolio of high quality assets continues to demonstrate strength as our regional malls and Premium Outlets generated comparable property net operating income growth of 4.5% in the quarter," said David Simon, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "Occupancy in the portfolio was 30 basis points higher than one year ago and our tenants reported a robust increase in sales of 10.7%. Financing activities during the quarter enhanced our industry leading balance sheet and the ramping up of development and redevelopment activities positions us to continue to deliver strong results for our stockholders. Given our results in 2011 and our current view of 2012, we are also pleased to announce an increase in our quarterly dividend to $0.95 per share from $0.90."

FOR THE FULL REPORT FOLLOW THIS LINK

Esprit to close all unprofitable North American stores

2012-02-03T14:24:00.000-05:00

By Vinicy Chan and Lauren Coleman-Lochner - Bloomberg Businessweek

Feb. 1 (Bloomberg) -- Esprit Holdings Ltd., the clothing retailer struggling to recover from last year’s 98 percent earnings slump, plans to close all stores in North America after failing to find a buyer for the unprofitable business.

Hong Kong-listed Esprit intends to focus on “finding one or more license partner” to maintain the brand’s presence in North America, said Patrick Lau, head of investor relations and mergers and acquisitions, in an e-mailed statement. The U.S. and Canadian subsidiaries haven’t decided on whether to file for Chapter 11 or equivalent Canadian proceedings.

“Esprit is cutting losses in a tough market that it hasn’t been able to break into,” said Andrew Sullivan, principal sales trading at Piper Jaffray Asia Securities Ltd. in Hong Kong. “Retailers in the U.S. all face a difficult moment since U.S. consumer spending continues to shrink.”

Esprit, which said in September its brand had “lost its soul,” rose 1.1 percent to HK$11.56 at the close in Hong Kong trading. Chief Executive Officer Ronald Van der Vis has said he plans to turn the retailer around by improving fashion designs to revive earnings in Europe while doubling China sales in four years.

The U.S. and Canada business has lost HK$1.6 billion ($206 million) in a four-year period, Esprit said last year. “Our North American subsidiaries’ current intentions are to close all stores in North America unless a potential partner for North America is interested in taking over any of the stores,” Lau said.

The clothing retailer had been exploring the sale of its U.S. and Canadian operations, three people familiar with the matter said in August.

Profit Plunge

Esprit in September reported full-year profit plummeted 98 percent to HK$79 million after it booked costs for closing stores worldwide and selling its operations in the U.S. and Canada. It was the third consecutive decline in annual profit for the casual clothing maker that makes 79 percent of sales in Europe.

Chief Executive Van der Vis is setting up design teams in Paris and China and has hired managers and designers from Adidas AG, Puma AG and Hennes & Mauritz AB. Esprit shares have risen 15.4 percent this year, better than the benchmark Hang Seng Index’s 10.3 percent gain. The stock lost 73 percent in 2011.

Negotiations with landlords for ending store leases have begun, Lau said. In North America, Esprit had 93 outlets as of Sept. 15. The brand was founded in San Francisco in 1968.

Wehrenberg Theater leaves Factory Outlet Mall in Osage Beach

2012-02-02T16:02:00.000-05:00

Source: LakeNewsOnline

Osage Beach, Mo. —The movies are on the move with the announcement that the Wehrenberg Theater will be leaving the Factory Outlet Mall in Osage Beach and heading to The Shoppes at Eagles’ Landing in Lake Ozark.

Wehrenberg plans to construct a state-of-the-art, 25,000 square-foot, eight-screen facility at Eagles’ Landing, the lake’s newest retail center.

According to Eagles’ Landing project manager Andy Prewitt, the new theater will be a perfect addition to the new center. “We are working to make Eagles’ Landing a lake destination,” Prewitt said. “The theater will compliment our shopping and dining opportunities and make going to a movie convenient for people from both sides of the lake.”

With the opening of Route 242, motorists will be able to travel easily from the west side of the lake across the Community Bridge and directly to Eagles’ Landing. The development’s Lake Ozark location is easily accessible from any area of the lake.

Menard’s Home Improvement, Kohl’s department store and CVS pharmacy will be opening at Eagles’ Landing in coming weeks. Eagles’ Landing is located on Highway 54 in Lake Ozark.

New parking garage at Seattle Premium Outlets

2012-02-01T16:25:00.000-05:00

source: The Arlington Times

TULALIP — Those who have stopped by the Seattle Premium Outlets on the Tulalip Reservation since the fall of last year might have noticed a new development to the west of the outlet center.

Last summer, the the Simon Property Group announced their plans to expand the Seattle Premium Outlets’ retail space, since the outlet center’s existing 120 stores produce sales in excess of $700 per square foot, making them one of the group’s most productive centers.

As part of that expansion, S.D. Deacon — the same contractor that originally built the Seattle Premium Outlets in 2005 — began construction on a two-level parking deck on the west side of the outlet center in October of 2011.

According to Michele Osgood, assistant general manager of the Seattle Premium Outlets, this new parking area is slated to be open in the summer of 2012, in time to provide additional parking in advance of the planned expansion of the outlet center that’s set to follow.

“The planned expansion will add 100,000 additional square feet of retail space to the outlet center in 2013, bringing the total square footage of the center to 500,000,” Osgood said.

Osgood declined to specify how many parking spaces would be added with this move, just as

Michele Rothstein, a spokesperson for the Premium Outlets division of Simon, had previously declined to speculate on how many new stores would be added during the expansion, or which ones they would be.

The Seattle Premium Outlets were built in 2005 and include Adidas, Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, Calvin Klein, Coach, Cole Haan, DKNY, J.Crew, Kenneth Cole, Lacoste, Nike, Polo Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger.

Rothstein attributed the stores’ sales success to shoppers coming from the local area, throughout the Puget Sound region and even from Canada. She predicted that the Cabela’s store currently under construction at Quil Ceda Village, just south of the Seattle Premium Outlets and the Tulalip Resort Hotel and Casino, would also draw customers to those stores.

“The Tribes are very excited about this,” Tulalip Tribal Chair Mel Sheldon Jr. said. “It furthers our goal of making this a destination resort and gives shoppers even more choices.”

Sheldon credited his predecessors and peers on the Tribal Board with laying the groundwork for the Tribes’ ongoing economic expansion, which he hopes will benefit the Tribes’ neighbors and Snohomish County as a whole.

Tanger Appoints Carrie A. Geldner as Chief Marketing Officer

2012-01-31T09:30:00.000-05:00

Company Release - 01/31/2012 09:15

GREENSBORO, N.C., Jan. 31, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc. (NYSE:SKT), announced today that it has promoted one of its senior management team members, Carrie A. Geldner to Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. Ms. Geldner was named Senior Vice President of Marketing in May 2000. Previously, she held the position of Vice President of Marketing from September 1996 to May 2000 and Assistant Vice President of Marketing from December 1995 to September 1996.

In her expanded role, Geldner will be responsible for the marketing organization including communications, public relations, media, creative, promotions and advertising to ensure that the Tanger branded message is distributed across channels to targeted audiences to meet Tanger's overall performance objectives.
Steven B. Tanger, President and Chief Executive Officer of Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc. stated,

"Marketing has evolved over the years and today certainly means seeking new ways to deliver messaging to the consumer. Carrie has continued to elevate our brand and grow the customer base, while being on trend and efficient with our marketing programs and budgets. I am pleased to be able to advance her position to keep us on our positive growth track both in the United States and Canada," adds Tanger.

Ms. Geldner has lead Tanger's brand marketing for 16 years, and has been in shopping center marketing and management for more than 25 years. She began her career in sales and advertising, and then found her first role as a mall marketing director with North Hills, Inc. based in Raleigh, NC. She held similar roles with Edward J. DeBartolo Corporation. Prior to joining Tanger she helped lead the marketing for Prime Retail. Ms. Geldner speaks on marketing and has taught several classes including the International Council of Shopping Centers University of Shopping Centers at the Wharton School of Business.

60 stores coming to Opry Mills

2012-01-30T16:15:00.000-05:00

Source: News Channel5

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Opry Mills has announced that more than 60 new and returning stores will be part of its grand opening in March.

New stores coming to the mall are Crazy 8, Express, Jones New York Outlet, P.S. from Aéropostale, Sunglass Warehouse, Tilly's and Wilk's Dugout.

Other stores returning include Aerie, Aéropostale, Body Central, The Children's Place Outlet, Claire's, dressbarn, The Finish Line, Fossil, Gap Outlet, Gymboree Outlet, Haggar, HANESbrands, Journey's, Justice, Lane Bryant Outlet, Levi's Outlet, Nautica Factory Store, Old Navy Outlet, Pacific Sunwear, Papaya, Rack Room Shoes, RCC Western Wear, rue21, Skechers USA Outlet, Wet Seal and Wilson's Leather Outlet.

They will join other previously announced stores such as Bath & Body Works, Bed, Bath & Beyond, Build-A-Bear Workshop, Elegance Perfumes, GNC, Opry Nail Salon, Perfumania, Spencer's Gifts, Tennessee Sports Fan and Yankee Candle.

Dining options will include many new and returning restaurants including Burger King, Charley's Grilled Subs, The Cookie Store, Dairy Queen, The Great American Cookie Company, Green Leaf's Beyond Great, It'Sugar, Kelly's Cajun Grill, Maki of Japan, Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt, Panda Express, Pyramids Café, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Company, Villa Fresh Italian Kitchen and
Which Wich. Macaroni Grill, Rainforest Café and Aquarium Restaurant will also return.

Five major stores and business have already opened at the mall. Regal Cinemas Opry Mills Stadium 20 & IMAX, Dave & Buster's, VF Outlet, Bass Pro Shops and Sun & Ski Sport opened last year.
The grand re-opening is scheduled for March 29.

The historic flood in May 2010 caused more than $200 million in damage to the popular mall, but the insurance companies have only provided $50 million for the necessary renovations.

Construction on the property began in April 2011.

David Tutera to be at Tanger Outlets at the Arches

2012-01-29T19:34:00.003-05:00

Company Release - 01/25/2012 10:34

GREENSBORO, N.C., Jan. 25, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tanger Outlets (NYSE:SKT) has united with WE TV this season to give shoppers a reason to fall in love with both Tanger Outlets and WE TV. As part of this national partnership rolling out at all Tanger Outlet Centers promoting the new season of the hit show "My Fair Wedding", hosted by the stylish entertaining expert, David Tutera, Tanger Outlets at the Arches and its shoppers will be given a special surprise with an exclusive appearance by David.

On Saturday, February 4 at 2pm, David Tutera will be at Tanger Outlets at the Arches to present his Top Tips for wedding planning and romantic Valentine's Day celebration ideas. Shoppers will be able to spend an afternoon with David inside a specially designed space at Tanger as David Tutera shares his insight and expertise not only for wedding planning but also for setting a romantic environment on Valentine's Day for all couples. So whether you are a bride to be, or just enjoy the wisdom and innovation of David's entertaining ideas, this event is for you! After David's appearance, he will be on hand to sign his books and meet the shoppers.

"We are extremely excited to have such a style icon host this wonderful Valentine's Day inspired event at our successful center in Deer Park, New York," stated Steven B. Tanger, President & Chief Executive Officer of Tanger Outlet Centers. "The national partnership with WE TV and their hit show is a brand-aligned collaboration that gives our shoppers an opportunity to not only save on style at our great designer and outlet stores this month, but also an added benefit to meet another passionate and professional celebrity with the David Tutera appearance and our upcoming WE TV sweepstakes launching at all Tanger Outlets this February."

The Tanger Outlets and WE "Fall in Love Sweepstakes" begins February 1st through March 4^th. Shoppers and WE TV viewers can enter to win a dream vacation for two to beautiful Saint Lucia, PLUS a $1000 Tanger Outlets Shopping Spree. It is easy to enter by visiting WETV.com or by texting DREAM to 39227 or stopping by any Tanger Outlet shopper services nationwide. No purchase necessary. Visit WETV.com for more info beginning February 1, 2012.

ABOUT DAVID TUTERA
Leading Entertaining Expert David Tutera is hailed as an artistic visionary whose ability, uniquely creative talents and outstanding reputation have made him a tremendous success in the lifestyle arena. Tutera has created a name for himself by taking his passion for designing spectacular events and transforming it into a lifestyle. He continuously exceeds the expected with an unmatched level of inspiration, imagination, and innovation to create the latest trends in entertaining. His name has become synonymous with style, elegance, creativity and vision.

David's hit primetime show, "My Fair Wedding" airs on WE TV. David whisks into wedding chaos a mere three weeks before a bride's most important day of her life and quickly saves the day as he transforms the fate of the party from less than ordinary to beyond extraordinary. "My Fair Wedding" new season airs Sundays at 9pm/8C.

Construction to begin at Phoenix Premium Outlets

2012-01-26T11:47:00.000-05:00

By Allison Hurtado, Ahwatukee Foothills News

In 90 days construction will have begun on a 360,000-square-footoutlet mall near Wild Horse Pass Hotel and Casino.

The project, a partnership between the Gila River IndianCommunity and Simon Property Group, is expected to open in springof 2013 with 90 outlet stores, featuring high quality and designerbrands, directly adjacent to the Wild Horse Pass Hotel and Casino,5040 Wild Horse Pass Blvd. in Chandler.

On Thursday, Gila River Indian Community Gov. Greg Mendoza andDavid Simon, chairman and CEO of Simon Property group, met tocommemorate the end of the predevelopment stage of the site and tosign the official land lease.

"This development represents the next steps towards economicself sufficiency for our community and furthers my goals as the newgovernor of the Gila River Indian Community of creating a morediversified income for our people," Mendoza said during apresentation before the signing.

The project is expected to bring between 300 and 500construction jobs over 12 months and more than 800 permanent jobsonce the outlets open.

Renderings of the outlets show a very modern and open outdoorshopping area that is larger in square footage than the neighboringcasino.

Names of possible retailers going into the space have not yetbeen released. Simon promised a few would be named at thegroundbreaking ceremony in 60 to 90 days.

"We know everyone is anxious to know the names (of retailerscoming in)," Simon said. "It's a competitive situation in this areaso we are keeping those very confidential, but rest assured we willhave a great project and it will be well leased. I think as aleader in this business we can assure you we will devote everyounce of our energy to make this one of the most successful centersthat we have."

Simon compared this project with an outlet center the companyowns in Las Vegas, which is their most successful outletcenter.

Simon Property Group is the largest real estate company in thenation with the largest collection of upscale outlet centers in theU.S.

The company owns more than 350 properties worldwide, includingArizona Mills. Simon said they plan to spend around $70 million onthis project.

Premium Outlets eye Tampa

2012-01-25T14:29:00.000-05:00

The Cypress Creek Town Center project stalled because of environmental litigation.
PAUL LAMISON/STAFF

By RICHARD MULLINS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 14, 2012

TAMPA -- Outlet mall shoppers of Tampa, your world soon could get much better.
The nation's largest operator of outlet malls is looking for a location in the Tampa area, potentially building a property in the style of Ellenton Premium Outlets. And though no deal or specific location is public yet, the bull's-eye is just over the line in Pasco County at the Cypress Creek Town Center site.

A new outlet center would mark a new chapter for Cypress Creek, which never left the drawing board because of environmental litigation, and showcase the evolution of outlet malls from a sideshow in the retail world to a major driver of growth.

One reason for that rise: Shoppers love a discount.

Foot traffic at outlet centers has been surging in recent years, especially during the holidays. Outlet centers that once held only castoffs and overstocks now have full-size stores run by some of the country's biggest brands: Nike, Brooks Bros., Kate Spade, Gymboree, Levis, Kenneth Cole, Saks Fifth Avenue and others.

"Outlets are one of the hottest development areas in the whole country," said John Crossman, president of the commercial real estate brokerage Crossman & Company. "People love a discount, and outlets are a way for people to spend less money, or feel like it anyway, and still get name brands."

The Tampa project is led by Indianapolis-based Simon Property Group. Recently, Simon started circulating proposals to retail tenants and developers for new outlet malls. Now, Simon has started promotions in retail trade magazines, with four sites under construction or in development: Merrimack, N.H., Phoenix, Toronto and Tampa.

"Grow your business in style," the company tells potential retailers in promotional material. Simon is dedicated to the outlet concept and is "offering you the ability to build your business as well through new growth and acquisition."

Simon officials say they cannot talk specifically about locations or a timeline for the Tampa project. But spokesman Les Morris noted that Simon recently bought 22 outlet centers nationwide, including a half-dozen in Florida, and the company now holds 58 outlet centers in 27 states and one in Puerto Rico.

Morris noted that Simon has announced the start of construction in Merrimack, and soon a site in the Galveston, Texas, area. And Simon has deals to build premium outlets in Chesterfield, Mo., Japan and Malaysia.

The Tampa-area center could end up in any of several locations, though one area stands out, retail brokers say: something 30 minutes north of Tampa on the Pasco County line.

That's because Simon already has the other directions covered. The Ellenton outlet is 45 minutes south of Tampa, and to the east, there are two Simon outlets in Orlando.

Because outlet operators tend to locate their sites on major freeways just outside cities, that leaves the north — and Cypress Creek — a likely prospect, said Jim Kovacs, a retail broker with Colliers International.

"It makes sense there because it can draw from Tampa and everywhere north, even to Ocala or Gainesville," Kovacs said.

"If Simon can do a prime outlet there, that would be a big deal for Tampa Bay. You wouldn't have to drive all the way to Orlando," he said.

The Cypress Creek site sits right up against Interstate 75 and State Road 56, corridors through areas of Pasco County that saw rapid expansion before the housing collapse.

It's always possible Simon could pick a location outside Cypress Creek along Interstate 75. But if not, there's an opportunity now with litigation over the Cypress Creek site entering a new phase.

Controversy over the site arose in 2004 when Cleveland-based mall developer the Richard E. Jacobs Group and Tampa-based Sierra Properties announced plans for a 1.3 million-square-foot shopping center there.

The Sierra Club environmental group, no relation to the Sierra developer, sued to stop the project, saying it violates the Federal Clean Water Act and threatened two endangered species: the wood stork and eastern indigo snake.

As litigation dragged on, several major retailers dropped out of the mall project and two other major centers opened for business in Pasco: The Shops at Wiregrass open-air mall and The Grove.

Then in December, the U.S. Court of Appeals overturned much of a lower court opinion that had placed the Cypress Creek project on hold. Developers took that as a green light.

Jacobs officials this week declined to comment on the outlet center or their plans for the site, but executives recently wrote to Pasco County officials about the court ruling, saying they are "confident that this development will now finally proceed forward."

The other major landowner in the area, Sierra Properties, also declined to comment.

As for the Sierra Club, it has no plans to give up the fight.

"Heck no," spokeswoman Denise Layne said. "As a matter of fact, I'd be really interested to see how they plan to handle the whole wildlife thing around a mall, because there is nowhere else for them to go."

Traffic headaches continue for Tanger Outlets Myrtle Beach

2012-01-24T15:57:00.001-05:00

By Meghan Miller, WMBF News Weekend AnchorHORRY COUNTY, SC (WMBF)

Drivers hoping for a solution to their traffic headaches along US-501 won't get relief any time soon, as SCDOT postpones a widening project that would help ease congestion along the busy highway.

According to agency officials, preliminary planning continues to widen a stretch of US-501 between the Tanger Outlets and Gardner Lacy Road. The widening, they say, is needed to accommodate growing traffic moving past the Carolina Forest area.

Officials say the widening of the road isn't a priority at the moment because of the laundry list of other road projects that need addressed across the region.

Right now, the project's stuck in its planning stages and DOT wants to wait until in-house personnel is available to handle the work. Officials say it wouldn't be cost efficient to contract the project to an outside company.

While the project's put on hold for now, drivers say they hope it will eventually get on-line.

"It seems like they get a plan together and then just delay it," driver Glen Ballard said. "But if they delay it, finally get to it, and get it done, I think it would be better."

"I think over a period of time it will happen," added John Gore. "People need to understand it is a process, and we will get the improvements people need. It's just going to take some time."

When the project eventually gets underway, plans are finalized, and land rights are acquired, drivers will see work start on the outskirts of US-501. That will allow traffic to continue on the highway's existing lanes during the first phase of construction.

The widening of US-501 is projected to cost $2 million, but is subject to change.

Phoenix Premium Outlets coming to Gila River Indian Community

2012-01-24T15:57:00.000-05:00

Phoenix Business Journal by Mike Sunnucks, Senior Reporter

Date: Wednesday, January 18, 2012, 6:11am MST

A new 360,000-square-foot outlet mall is taking another step forward in the East Valley.

Simon Property Group will ink a lease later this week with the Gila River Indian Community to construct the Phoenix Premium Outlets.

The outlets will be next to the Wild Horse Pass Hotel and Casino in Chandler.

Simon CEO David Simon will be in town Thursday to sign the ground lease. That will allow construction to start on the first 360,000-square-foot phase. That phase will include 90 stores.

Simon operates Premium Outlets centers across the country, including San Diego, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Dallas. Simon’s outlet malls include stores from Nike, Coach, Perry Ellis, Puma, Forever 21, Chico’s, PacSun, Ann Taylor and American Eagle, among others.

Indianapolis-based Simon Property Group (NYSE: SPG) is also the owner of Arizona Mills mall in Tempe, King of Prussia Mall outside Philadelphia and Sawgrass Mills near Miami.

Planning Board approves Tanger Outlets at National Harbor

2012-01-23T20:10:00.002-05:00

Prince George's County Planning Board OKs Outlets at National Harbor: MyFoxDC.com

By JOHN HENREHAN/myfoxdcNATIONAL HARBOR, Md. - The Planning Board in Prince George's County has given the green light to a proposal to build more than 80 outlet stores on land adjacent to the huge National Harbor project along the Potomac River.Not all residents are thrilled with the proposal."I live within sight of this monstrosity, and I am not happy about it. The foxes that live in that area are not happy about it, [and] the deer are not happy about it,” Patricia Tipton told the planners.But attorney Andre Gingles, who represents the Peterson Companies, estimated that when the mall is fully built and leased, it will generate about $12 million a year in taxes for state and county coffers.Other county residents told the planners they want more upscale stores near their homes.The new mall will be built and land lying between Oxon Hill Road and Indian Head Highway.Opponents of the plan have the option of appealing the decision of the planning board to the full county council. If the appeal is filed, the county council will likely take up the matter sometime this spring.

Earn frequent flyer miles for shopping at Chic Outlet Villages

2012-01-19T20:32:00.000-05:00

Flying Blue

Collect Flying Blue Award Miles when shopping at the 9 Chic Outlet Shopping® Villages.
Chic Outlet Shopping® is delighted to be a partner of Flying Blue, the frequent traveller programme of AIR FRANCE and KLM.

From December 2011, you will be able to collect 3 Flying Blue Award Miles for every Euro spent when shopping at any of the nine Chic Outlet Shopping® Villages.

To receive your Award Miles, present your shopping receipts in the Tourist Information Centre of the relevant Chic Outlet Shopping® Village on the day of your visit and you will be credited with one Award Mile for every one Euro or GBP of shopping*.

The Flying Blue programme was founded by AIR FRANCE and KLM in 2005, and is also the programme of Tarom, Kenya Airways, Air Europa and Air Calin; and operating as part of the Skyteam network. With 19 million members, combining 31 airlines and over 100 non-airline partner ‘s, Flying Blue is all the more attractive as one of the most appealing frequent flyer programme’s in Europe.

Flying Blue makes it easy to earn Miles wherever you go. The Miles that you earn are credited to your online account, and you can spend them on award tickets to a destination of your choice, as well as a host of other great offers. You can also buy Miles as a gift for a friend, or to top up your account so that you can afford the trip of your dreams

The more you travel, the higher you go. There are four membership levels, starting with Ivory, then moving up to three Elite and Elite Plus levels: Silver, Gold and Platinum.

Each level offers its own benefits and privileges, and of course you get more advantages the higher you go.

For more information and to subscribe free of charge to Flying Blue, visit:-
www.airfrance.nl
www.klm.com

Merrimack Premium Outlets to open June 14th

2012-01-19T20:31:00.000-05:00

by Lisa Stephenson, Manchester City Buzz Examiner

Simon/Premium Outlets is in the middle of completing a new outlet mall location in Merrimack, with plans for a grand opening set for June 14th.

The new outlet mall will be 410,000 square feet and will be off exit 10 on the Everett Turnpike. The groundbreaking for the project was in September 2010, and completion of the outlet mall is currently on track for the opening date.

The new stores will include: Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, Brooks Brothers, Calvin Klein, Chico's, Coach, Cole Haan, Converse, Elie Tahari, Guess, J. Crew, Loft Outlet, Lucky Brand, Michael Kors, Nike, Puma, Timberland and Tommy Hilfiger. There will also be two larger outlet stores for Bloomingdale's The Outlet Store and Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th. There will also be a food court and courtyard at the mall.

Outlet malls in New Hampshire have proven successful with locals, but more with tourists who shop at the stores for discounted items while enjoying not having to pay sales tax in the Granite State.

Celebrate the year of the dragon at the Chic Outlet Villages

2012-01-18T20:46:00.000-05:00

CBL and Horizon partner on The Outlet Shoppes at Atlanta

2012-01-18T20:38:00.002-05:00

Company Release - 01/10/2012 16:00

Joint Venture Builds on the Tremendous Success of The Outlet Shoppes at Oklahoma City

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. & NORTON SHORES, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- CBL & Associates Properties, Inc. (NYSE: CBL), today announced that it has formed a 75/25 joint venture with Horizon Group Properties, Inc. (OTC: HGPI) to develop The Outlet Shoppes at Atlanta in Atlanta (Woodstock), GA. Once complete, the 370,000-square-foot project will be the premier outlet destination for tourists and residents of Atlanta and the surrounding area. Construction is expected to begin in spring 2012, with the grand opening scheduled for late summer 2013. CBL and Horizon are co-developing the project with Horizon responsible for leasing and management.

“We are pleased to grow our presence in the outlet industry by partnering with Horizon Group to develop The Outlet Shoppes at Atlanta,” said Stephen Lebovitz, president and chief executive officer for CBL. “Retail interest is very strong and leases have already been executed with some of the best names in the outlet business today. We are confident that The Outlet Shoppes at Atlanta will be a terrific investment for CBL.”

The Outlet Shoppes at Atlanta is currently more than 70% leased or committed with must-have outlet retailers such as Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH, Nike, J. Crew, Nine West, Brooks Brothers, Johnston and Murphy, Levis, Skechers, Chico’s, Guess, Michael Kors, Puma, Under Armour and more. The project is well-located in a northern suburb of Atlanta off Interstate 575 and Ridgewalk Parkway.

“Atlanta is one of the best outlet markets in the country and we have the best location for the development of what will be Atlanta’s premiere outlet center,” said Gary J. Skoien, Horizon’s president and chief executive officer. “CBL is a fantastic partner and we look forward to building on the success of The Outlet Shoppes of Oklahoma City which we recently completed in a similar joint venture with CBL.”

The Outlet Shoppes at Atlanta will contribute significantly to the area’s local economy by creating new jobs and generating sales tax revenues. Once complete, the center is estimated to create more than 1,000 jobs for the community and generate more than $130 million in annual sales.

The Outlet Shoppes at Atlanta will be located in Woodstock, GA, a northern suburb of Atlanta in Cherokee County. The county is rated as one of the fastest growing counties in the nation by American Business Chronicle and US Census. Atlanta has more than 5.4 million residents in the metropolitan area and is one of the most visited cities in the United States, with more than 35 million tourists annually. The area is home to nearly 20 colleges and universities with over 175,000 full time college students. In addition, Atlanta features the world’s busiest airport, Hartsfield – Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

Peterson Cos. unveils renderings of Tanger Outlet National Harbor project

2012-01-17T20:14:00.002-05:00

The Peterson Cos., which owns National Harbor, recently blogged about the project's significance on its website -www.petersoncos.com

When The Peterson Companies first started exploring the concept of adding an Outlet Center into the mix at National Harbor a little over two years ago, it was a bit of a radical idea because outlet centers historically located well outside of major metropolitan areas.

However, the country was in the midst of an economic collapse that has had a profound and lasting impact on consumer spending patterns. The outlet model, with its emphasis on designer brands at value prices, National Harbor’s prominence as the region’s premier waterfront resort with unparalleled interstate access, and a strong demographic base that was grossly underserved from a fashion retail perspective created a compelling argument.

As one of the premiere outlet developers in the country with over 38 centers in 25 states, Tanger was a natural partner who was uniquely positioned to capitalize on several key trends in the industry and help us create Tanger Outlets at National Harbor.

Retailers embrace outlets as an important distribution channel so regional proximity is no longer an issue - I’m very encouraged by Tanger’s recent track record of successfully opening centers with leading national brands such as Coach Factory, Gap Outlet, Tommy Hilfiger, J Crew, Banana Republic Factory Store, Brooks Brothers, Jones NY, Nine West and many more designer outlets.

Architecture Matters - The notion that an Outlet Center should LOOK like an Outlet Center so consumers feel like they’re getting good value is no longer valid. As you can see in the rendering, we’ve raised the bar in terms of architectural quality and finishes to create a comfortable and relaxed environment featuring, inviting entrances, landscaped promenades, open plazas that provide an opportunity to pay homage to the history of Salubria farm, and other consumer friendly amenities.

Outlet Centers are moving into major metropolitan areas – No longer limited to the hinterlands, most of the new outlet center developments will be located in major metropolitan areas where they can benefit from repeat shoppers as well as tourists. With unparalleled access off Interstates 95/495 and 295 Tanger Outlets at National Harbor will not only appeal to the millions of tourists visiting DC and Gaylord National but it will also serve as a convenient option for regional residents in MD, VA and DC.

When it opens in 2013, Tanger Outlets at National Harbor will represent the best our industry has to offer in terms of retail brands at value prices, first-class shopping environments and unparalleled regional access. We also believe it will be a model for future developments throughout the country.

We are proud to be working with an industry leader like Tanger and are looking forward to sharing more details in the coming months as we work through the approvals process and plan for a groundbreaking later this year.

Tanger Factory Outlet Centers Schedules 4th Quarter and Year End 2011 Conference Call

2012-01-12T13:42:00.001-05:00

Company Release - 01/12/2012 08:30

GREENSBORO, N.C., Jan. 12, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc.(NYSE:SKT) announced today that its financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2011 will be released Tuesday evening, February 14, 2012 after the market close. The Company will host its conference call for analysts, investors and other interested parties on Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. eastern time.

To access the conference call, listeners should dial 1-877-277-5113 on Wednesday, February 15, 2012 and request to be connected to the Tanger Factory Outlet Centers Fourth Quarter and Year End 2011 Financial Results call.

Alternatively, this call is being webcast and will be available to the public on Tanger's Investor Relations website, hosted by SNL IR Solutions and is available by clicking the Investors link on www.tangeroutlet.com.

SNL subscribers may also access the webcast via the SNL database, www.snl.com.

A telephone replay of the call will be available from February 15, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. eastern time through 11:59 p.m., February 22, 2012 by dialing 1-855-859-2056, conference ID # 41801480. An online archive of the webcast will also be available through February 22, 2012.

CBL refinancing

2012-01-12T13:35:00.000-05:00

by TimesFreePress.com

CBL & Associates Properties, Inc., announced that it refinanced $383 million of debt during December to free up more than $160 million in excess proceeds.

“These new loans demonstrate our continued strong borrowing relationships as well as the tremendous value in our dominant mall assets,” CBL Chief Financial Officer John Foy said.

The Chattanooga-based shopping center development firm said it closed a $140 million, 10-year non-recourse loan with an institutional lender secured by Cross Creek Mall in Fayetteville, N.C. at an interest rate of 4.54 percent. CBL also closed a $60 million, 10-year non-recourse CMBS loan secured by The Outlet Shoppes at Oklahoma City bearing a fixed interest rate of 5.73 percent.

CBL closed a five-year extension and amendment of the existing non-recourse loan secured by St. Clair Square in Fairview Heights in St. Louis, increasing the borrowing amount to $125 million, and a recourse loan secured by The Promenade in D’Iberville, Miss.

In total during 2011, CBL completed more than $2.3 billion in financing activity, including three credit facilities totaling $1.15 billion and property-specific debt totaling $1.18 billion.

CBL owns or manages 159 properties in 26 states, including the Hamilton Place and Northgate Malls in Chattanooga.

The Chic Outlet Shopping Villages draw South East Asian shoppers

2012-01-11T17:01:00.000-05:00

by AsianTravelTips.com

The Chic Outlet Shopping Villages by Value Retail have announced 2011 third quarter sales which report a 78% increase in visitors from South East Asia to its Villages.

This increase resulted in a 54% growth in tax refunded sales compared to the same period in 2010.

Value Retail recorded the highest number of visitors to the Chic Outlet Shopping Villages from China, followed by the Middle East and Russia, with Hong Kong representing the fifth most popular shopping nation after South East Asia.

Kildare Village near Dublin and Bicester Village near London proved to be the most popular with visitors from South East Asia according to the latest tax-free figures.

The third quarter of 2011 also revealed that the average spend for each refunded transaction of shoppers from Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia combined increased by 3%, just exceeding the average global customer spend of €275.

Arjen Kruger, EVP & Chief Marketing Officer of Global Blue said, “In the first three quarters of 2011 the Chic Outlet Shopping Villages, by Value Retail, achieved outstanding results with an increase of 65% in Global Blue tax refunded sales compared to the same period in 2010. The Villages have consolidated their strong appeal both to nationalities that have a tradition of international travel as well as the emerging markets, demonstrating further the quality of the Chic Outlet Shopping offer.”

Bloomingdale's to open at Merrimack Premium Outlets

2012-01-10T15:58:00.001-05:00

By DENIS PAISTE - New Hampshire Union Leader

MANCHESTER — Corporate parent Macy’s Inc. said its Bloomingdale’s unit will open a 25,000-square-foot outlet store in Merrimack Premium Outlets this year.

The store will employ about 35 workers.

The Merrimack Premium Outlets, expected to open in June, have been steadily adding tenants with 22 permits issued and 15 pending from the town of Merrimack. Up to 100 stores are expected to join the mall.

Bloomingdale’s Outlet and Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH will be the largest stores at 25,000 square feet to 28,000 square feet.

“A Bloomingdale’s Outlet exemplifies the quality level that we’re bringing to Merrimack,” said Michele Rothstein, spokeswoman for Simon Property Group’s Premium Outlets division.

“We’ve had a great experience with Bloomingdale’s to date,” she said, noting a unit opened in Wrentham, Mass., late last year.

Besides Merrimack, Bloomingdale’s outlets will open four other new stores as well as one new Bloomingdale’s store and one replacement in California, Macy’s said late Tuesday.

Macy’s also announced closings of four Bloomingdale’s stores and five Macy’s stores in states from Georgia and Maryland to Texas and Minnesota.

“This requires us to make some difficult decisions to close stores that no longer meet our performance requirements, as well as to open stores where we see opportunity,” Terry J. Lundgren, Macy’s chairman, president and chief executive officer, said in a statement.

Macy’s will offer transfers or severance benefits to affected employees.

When the planned openings and closings are complete, Macy’s will operate 804 stores in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam.

Macy’s said it will take a charge of $25 million to $30 million against earnings in the fourth quarter of 2011.

Historic site stripped for Tanger Outlet National Harbor project

2012-01-10T15:58:00.000-05:00

by Mimi Liu, Staff Writer - Gazette.net

Sealing the fate of an almost two centuries-old Oxon Hill historic site, Prince George’s County’s Historic Preservation Commission voted unanimously Wednesday to support removing some of its environmental protections, making way for a developer’s proposal to build an 80-store outlet mall and hotel on the grounds.

The decision follows months of objections by community groups who say the 2.7-acre Salubria plantation should be preserved because of its importance to the county’s black history.

The plantation sits in the middle of the proposed 44-acre planned Tanger Outlets being developed by National Harbor’s developer, the Peterson Cos. based in Fairfax, Va

The county planning board will hold a public hearing Thursday for Peterson Cos. to present a site plan on the proposed 460,000-square-foot development of Tanger Outlets and a hotel on the Salubria site across from National Harbor.

At Wednesday’s meeting, Peterson Cos. had to agree that development of the site would not begin until existing artifacts have been removed and preserved, and an agreement has been reached with surrounding communities on a Salubria memorial.

The main house at Salubria where Dr. John H. Bayne and his family resided does not exist anymore.

Bayne, a prominent white physician and horticulturist who also served as a member of the county’s school board, worked to provide public education to freed slaves even after a slave girl poisoned his children in 1834.

In its findings, county Park and Planning staff concluded that protection of the 2.7 acres should be removed because the site has few existing physical structures that can be restored or preserved, and the best way for the site to be preserved is through archaeological removal.

The decision was a blow to Bonnie Bick, a resident of Oxon Hill Road and co-founder of the civic group known as the Campaign to Reinvest in the Heart of Oxon Hill, which has fought for a number of years to save Salubria.

“It’s a mistake to take away the historic designation because the message it is sending is there is nothing of historic value to save.

“It’s just like cutting down the forest and naming the project after the forest,” she added.

Wednesday’s meeting spanned six hours with presentations from Park and Planning officials and representatives for Peterson Cos., as well as testimonies from more than 15 county residents.

Joyce Thorpe of Fort Washington said more historic sites in Prince George’s County should be protected, and cited the impacts that the outlets would have on residents’ quality of life.

“I do not want the site desecrated or removed by anyone, especially [not by] a developer who has a shopping center across the street in National Harbor,” she said.

Alfonso Narvaez, a Fort Washington resident and chair of the county’s Historical and Cultural Trust, said a Salubria memorial built at the outlet center would be more impactful than an empty parcel of land with very few remaining physical structures.

“We’re interpreting the history of Salubria in a way that it can’t be relegated to the background,” he said.

The commission also voted to remove Salubria from the county’s Inventory of Historic Sites and Districts, which it had been placed on 30 years ago.

In late May, the county’s Historic Preservation Commission approved archaeological studies to examine the historical value of the Salubria property.

According to the report from Thunderbird Archaeology, based in Gainesville, Va., whom Peterson hired to conduct the study, several cultural features associated with the 19th century occupation of the site were discovered, including a terra cotta water pipe and associated trench that may have been used to transport water from the well or pump house to the dairy.

The group also found other items such as fragments of window glass and flower pots, the buttock of a doll dating to the late 19th or early 20th century, and a clear bottle with a prescription lip, said Jennifer Stabler, a staff archaeologist with the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission.

William Shipp, a lawyer representing the Peterson Cos., said that had the original structures on the property not been destroyed, the site proposal would have been “a different design than what we have today.”

The main house and surrounding buildings occupied about 22.5 acres, but an environmental setting established in 1995 protected only 2.7 acres of the site through the Historic Preservation Commission’s review of a development proposal.

In 2003, a historic permit was approved that allowed for the demolition of remaining structures on the property, except an old milk house/dairy due to its advanced level of deterioration.
Commissioner Robert H. Schnabel said it was “unfortunate” that the milk house/dairy had not been maintained properly.

“What was done was inadequate, and it’s completely gone now,” he said.

June White-Dillard, president of the African American Heritage Preservation Group, who is heading the Salubria memorialization group, said proposals for a memorial at the outlets include statues of select individuals in narrative poses reflecting the story of Salubria, an interactive video, commemorative plaques and floral or plant arrangements representing Bayne’s horticulture work.

Dillard said the estimated cost for such a memorial to be constructed would be $450,000 to $500,000. She said the group is still ironing out details on how much Peterson Cos. would contribute.

Representatives for Peterson Cos. did not address how much they would contribute to the memorial at Thursday’s meeting.

David A. Turner, the commission’s chairman, said as part of the next archaeology survey, artifacts will be removed from the site and preserved at the Maryland Archaeological Lab at the Jefferson

Patterson Park in Calvert County or could be incorporated into the future Salubria memorial.
Margaret White of Capitol Heights said more effort needs to be made countywide to educate people on the history of Salubria and the Bayne family.

“There is an elementary school in my community named after John Bayne,” she said. “No one knows who he was or what he did.”

If you go
The Prince George’s County Planning Board will hold a public hearing at 10 a.m. Thursday on the first floor of the County Administration Building in Upper Marlboro.

Representatives for Peterson Cos. will present a conceptual site plan for the proposed 460,000-square-foot development of Tanger Outlets and a hotel on the Salubria site across from National Harbor.

The address is 14741 Governor Oden Bowie Drive.

For information, call the Development Review Division at 301-952-3530. Individuals who need special assistance should call 301-952-3560 (TTY 301-952-3796) for accommodations.

In case of inclement weather, call 301-952-5330 to verify the status of the Planning Board meeting.

Bloomingdale's Outlet coming to Paragon Outlets Livermore Valley

2012-01-09T13:11:00.001-05:00

by Around Dublin Team

Paragon Outlet Partners, a retail real estate development firm headquartered in Baltimore, has just confirmed that Bloomingdale’s Outlet will anchor the new outlet mall currently under construction in Livermore, CA. Paragon Outlets Livermore Valley is expected to grand open by Black Friday 2012.

At Paragon Outlets Livermore Valley, a 543,000-square-foot shopping destination serving the greater San Francisco area, Bloomingdale’s Outlet will occupy a 25,000-square-foot anchor location. It will join a collection of more than 120 top designer and name brands such as Barney’s New York Outlet, Brooks Brothers Factory Store, Dooney & Bourke Factory Outlet, Elie Tahari, Etro, J.Crew, Michael Stars, Neiman Marcus Last Call, Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH and St. John, among many more, when the outlet center opens in November.

“We are delighted Bloomingdale’s Outlet has chosen to open new outlet stores with Paragon Outlet Partners,” stated Principal Nicholas King. “We work to create well-tenanted shopping destinations where consumers have access to a world-class, robust mix of iconic brands. Welcoming our first set of Bloomingdale’s Outlet stores into our tenant roster is a true testament to our ongoing mission.”

The Outlet Shoppes a Oklahoma City boost tax revenue

2012-01-09T13:11:00.000-05:00

BY MICHAEL KIMBALL - NEWSOK

Business has been brisk at The Outlet Shoppes at Oklahoma City, and that has led to a better-than-expected boost to the city's sales tax revenue.

The new factory outlet mall, along Interstate 40 at Rockwell Avenue, opened in August. Since then, the chunk of city sales tax revenue from accessories and apparel has been about 20 percent bigger each month than it was last year, according to a report presented Tuesday to the Oklahoma City Council.

The bump represents about an extra $100,000 per month so far for the city, Budget Director Doug Dowler said. It's hard to trace every dollar, but he said there's no doubt the outlet mall has been the biggest reason.

Total sales during the shops' first four months of business were about $50 million, which is $15 million higher than city officials projected, said Brent Bryant, the city's economic development project manager.

Bryant said it's a good sign the mall is bringing in the dollars city leaders hoped for, but he cautioned that the small sample size means it's not safe to assume the numbers always will be as flashy.

Out-of-town moneyCity officials banked on the mall attracting shoppers from near and particularly far, and that's what the shops are seeing so far.

“We're attracting people on I-40 as they're traveling through the community,” The Outlet Shoppes spokeswoman Gina Slechta said, adding that holiday season sales at the mall also were stronger than expected. “We're seeing a lot of license plates from Wichita (Kan.), Fort Smith, Ark., (and) from Tulsa. That was one of our goals, and it's happening.”

The plan was to bring in extra business without poaching from other local retailers, and Bryant said the out-of-town money and jump in sales tax revenue is an indication it's working.

“That's one of the reasons why we wanted it,” Bryant said.

“It's a regional draw.”

Some of the retailers in the outlet mall also opened their first local branches here, putting them on a level online playing field with retailers that already had a physical store in Oklahoma City. Retailers with local branches have to charge sales tax to local online buyers, which brings yet more money to city revenue.

“That means that now, any time (local) people buy something off the Internet off those stores, they have to pay sales tax, as well,” Dowler said.

Luxury accessory brand Oroton opens at Johor Premium Outlets

2012-01-08T20:47:00.000-05:00

By KULAI JAYA - NewStraitsTimes

AUSTRALIA'S luxury accessories brand, Oroton, has opened a boutique at Johor Premium Outlets (JPO) here.

Established in 1938 in Sydney, Oroton began trading by importing luxurious fabrics from Europe.

Renowned for its elegant gold compact cases of the 1950s and the mesh bag of the 1970s, Oroton's innovative designs as well as enduring quality remain central tenets of the company today.

Its store at JPO features a modern, open plan with specially-designed silver, black and white metallic finishes that provide clean, classic, timeless lines.

In keeping with Oroton's signature style, the new store showcases a range of products that includes bags and wallets, jewellery, accessories, shoes as well as sunglasses and knitwear.

Bloomingdale's Outlet coming to Paragon Outlets in Grand Prairie

2012-01-08T20:27:00.002-05:00

By Scott Nishimura - Star Telegram

A major outlet center being built in Grand Prairie, scheduled to open this summer, got a boost with last week's confirmation that Bloomingdale's Outlet is coming in.

The 25,000-square-foot store will join more than 100 others, including Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th, Brooks Brothers Factory Store, Coach, Tommy Hilfiger, Nike, Gap Outlet, and Banana Republic Factory Store, at the Paragon Outlets Grand Prairie. The 420,000-square-foot shopping center opens Aug. 17 at the northeast corner of Interstate 20 and Texas 360.

The Star-Telegram chewed over the project with Nicholas King, a principal in Paragon Outlets Partners, the Baltimore firm that's developing the center and owns other outlet centers in Livermore Valley, Calif., and Orlando, Fla.

How much of the space is leased right now?
In excess of 90 percent. We're putting the finishing touches on the tenant mix. We expect to open 100 percent occupied.

Any room in the development to grow beyond the 420,000 square feet?
We do have some additional land (the development has about 50 acres total), but we have no plans to expand the property at this time.

Who's the customer?
Our typical shopper is female, 35-55, typically with household incomes of $75,000, fashion-conscious, brand-aware. We target major metro areas. We thought the DFW market was under-retailed from an outlet perspective. We really like the demographics.

How far will this property draw from?
They can draw from up to 60 miles away, (but mostly from) a 30-40 mile radius.

Does it have the potential to draw tourists?
That was one of the things we looked at, with the proximity to Arlington, the stadiums, Six Flags.

Will this have a different customer than other outlet centers in the market?
I assume you're talking about Allen (Premium Outlets, north of Dallas) specifically. The DFW market is a large market. I think we're going to have some tenants that are unique to our center. Bloomingdale's is one of them. We think it will operate with little or no impact on the Allen center and draw from the south market.

What about Grapevine Mills as a competitor?
We see the Mills shopping experience and the outlet shopping experience as different. (The Mills experience) tends to be more of an entertainment-based trip. Ours is more of an a shopping-based trip.

What categories in the merchandise mix would you like to see get stronger?
We're down to our last 20,000 to 30,000 square feet. We're very happy with where we are merchandise-wise. We think we have a very good solid offering that will appeal to men and women, kids. With our last eight or nine spaces, we're trying to identify tenants that will set us apart.

What do these kinds of centers do in sales per square foot?
The outlet business has been great over the last decade. We've seen in this last economic downturn that the outlet centers have outperformed traditional retail. We would hope this center would perform in excess of $500 per square foot (compared with the industry average of $331). We certainly expect that would be the case.

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Paragon Outlet Parnters to open Grand Prairie in August 2012

Read more here: http://www.star-telegram.com/2012/01/07/3641273/dfw-outlet-center-project-lands.html#storylink=cpy

Simon Property Group Schedules Fourth Quarter Earnings Release and Conference Call

2012-01-05T21:10:00.001-05:00

INDIANAPOLIS, Jan. 5, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Simon Property Group, Inc. (NYSE:SPG) announced today that financial and operational results for the quarter ended December 31, 2011, will be released before the market opens on February 3, 2012. The Company will host its quarterly earnings conference call and an audio webcast on February 3rd at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time.

The live webcast will be available in listen-only mode at www.simon.com (Investors tab), www.earnings.com and www.streetevents.com. If you are unable to participate during the live webcast, an audio replay will be available beginning at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time on February 3, 2012, and will be available until 11:00 p.m., February 17, 2012, by dialing 1-888-286-8010 and entering the passcode "83128847." The call will also be archived on www.simon.com, www.earnings.com and www.streetevents.com for approximately 90 days.

Tanger Factory Outlets declare quarterly dividend

2012-01-05T15:27:00.001-05:00

Company Release - 01/05/2012 08:30

GREENSBORO, N.C., Jan. 5, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc.(NYSE:SKT), announced today that its Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.20 per share for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2011. A cash dividend of $0.20 per share will be payable on February 15, 2012 to holders of record on January 30, 2012.

Tanger Outlet donates $31K to battle breast cancer

2012-01-05T14:59:00.000-05:00

Russ Lay | December 30, 2011 - The Outer Banks Voice

The Tanger Outlet Center in Nags Head raised and donated $31,354.55 for the battle against breast cancer.

“It takes all of us working with a common focus and determination to beat this terrible disease,” stated Steven B. Tanger, president and chief executive officer for Tanger Factory Outlet Centers Inc. “I’m proud of our Tanger team members in Nags Head for their continued hard work in fighting breast cancer and I thank our shoppers for supporting Tanger’s mission to find a cure.”

Tanger’s 2011 PinkStyle Campaign ran Sept.15 to Oct. 25 with funds being raised through the sale of the popular Tanger PinkStyle Card. For a $1 donation to local breast cancer beneficiaries, Tanger customers received a special pink card that provided 25 percent bonus savings at participating Tanger Outlet Stores.

With its primary mission to save lives, Tanger’s Annual Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign creates awareness for the importance of early detection and helps raise the money necessary to support ongoing breast cancer research. Tanger’s campaign also helps fund many important programs and facilities designed to improve the quality of life for breast cancer patients.

As part of the annual PinkStyle Campaign, Tanger Outlets in 24 states topped the $1 million mark in funds raised for the cause for the fourth consecutive year. Since 1994, Tanger has donated over $10 million to fight breast cancer nationally. Locally,TangerOutletCenterin Nags H

Branson takes over Factory Merchants Outlets

2012-01-04T14:51:00.000-05:00

By Mindy Honey - Branson Tri-Lakes News

Branson aldermen unanimously gave final approval during aspecial meeting Thursday to take over ownership of FactoryMerchants Branson, the 76 Country Boulevard shopping center knownby many people as the Red Roof Mall.

City Administrator Dean Kruithof said the city will close onthe transfer Jan. 5, 2012. According to the agreement, the citywill receive $300,000 from Simon Property Group Inc., and Simonwill continue to manage the mall for the next six months.

“I think our key issue right now is working with Simon to get asmany of those stores relocated as we can,” Kruithof said followingThursday’s meeting. “We already are hearing a number of them arelooking for new locations in Branson and we’ll start working withSimon with the hand-off, from their ownership to us in thesix-month period of time.”

According to Economic Development Director Garrett Anderson, ofthe 34 businesses, seven planned to vacate the property by the endof the 2011.

“Only one store is confirmed to be closing this year and notrelocating to another part of Branson,”
Anderson said. “Nine of the34 have committed to relocating in Branson.”

Seventeen of the stores at Factory Merchants Branson haveduplicate locations in the city.
Simon’s current lease for the 31 acres of city-owned land wasnot set to expire until 2021. According to Kruithof, the $300,000will be segregated from the city’s general fund and be used tomaintain the property.

“I’ve estimated $15,000-$20,000 to be able maintain this and the$300,000 would go toward that purpose,” Kruithof said during aspecial meeting earlier in the week when aldermen approved the billon first reading. “In essence, what this will do is ensure that thecost of taking on this mall does not compete with our basicservices.”

Kruithof described the mall as fading. In the past seven years,the mall has seen a 52-percent decrease in sales.

“There are some problems that are opportunities,” said AldermanRick Todd. “This is one of those problems. We have a mall that wasvery successful over a period of years going in a slow decline. Itwasn’t working and they needed to do something.”

Todd said hopefully, many of the businesses will relocated andnot have a big impact on the area’s unemployment.

“The opportunity will depend on what we can do with it in thecoming years,” Todd said.
Kruithof said already city leaders have been hearing ideas forthe property’s future.

Sak's Off 5th coming to Merrimack Premium Outlets

2012-01-03T15:13:00.000-05:00

(Bruce Preston/Union Leader)

By PAUL FEELY New Hampshire Union Leader

MERRIMACK — Permits have been issued to 22 businesses to build and “fit up” stores as part of the Merrimack Premium Outlet Mall project, filling out just over a third of the square footage of retail space slated to open to shoppers in June.

Another 15 firms have submitted applications for permits, according to Merrimack Fire Chief Michael Currier, and are awaiting approval from the town’s building and code division.

“When it’s fully occupied, it’s expected to be home to 100 stores,” said Currier, who also serves as head of Merrimack’s building department in addition to his duties as fire chief. “As of today, we have only issued 22 approvals, and we have another 15 in the queue, so to speak.”

The approvals represent a go-ahead for 143,148 square feet of retail space, just over a third of the 430,000 square feet expected to open in June, bringing jobs and added tax revenue to the town.

“We’re very pleased that things are moving on schedule,” said Michele Rothstein, senior vice president of marketing for Premium Outlets, a division of outlet mall’s owner, the Simon Property Group. “We’re very excited because it’s starting to come together.”

“From everything we’ve seen, they are ahead of schedule,” said Currier. “Things are moving along very well. Buildings are up, roofs are on, and now they can start working on fixing up the interiors.”

A look at the permits that have been issued thus far by Currier’s department gives local and regional consumers a chance to plan their summer shopping excursions early.

A Sak’s Fifth Avenue “Off 5th” store will fill 28,000 square feet of the site, and looks to be the largest store at the outlet mall, according to Currier. The next largest retailer approved thus far is a Nike outlet, permitted for 13,000 square feet.

Stores that have been permitted for just over 10,000 square feet of retail include Gap and Hanes outlets, while names like Banana Republic, Reebok, Brooks Brothers, J. Crew, Ann Taylor, Coach and Guess will each occupy retail slots at the site of between 8,000 and 5,000 square feet.

Retail spaces less than 5,000 square feet each are expected to be home to popular retailers Timberland, Carter’s Babies and Kids, OshKosh B’Gosh, Pacific Sun, Bose and Gymboree.

Currier said he could not reveal the name of the 15 other retailers that have applied for permits until they are approved, which he expects will happen sometime in January.

“It’s my understanding that the owners of the mall don’t want to reveal the stores until approval for them is acquired,” said Currier. “They want to have everything lined up.”

“We know we can provide top-quality premium shopping,” said Mark Silvestri, executive vice president of Premium Outlets.

Though Currier said that his department has, up to this point, received build and “fit-up” permit applications from just 37 of the expected 100 retail stores that will occupy the site, he feels the outlet mall is still on track for its opening in June.

“I believe the biggest stores were the ones to file first, because the approval process for them can take longer,” said Currier. “Barring any weather-related setbacks, I don’t anticipate any reason why they won’t be ready to go by the end of May. The weather has really cooperated this fall, and they’ve been very busy at the site.”

The Merrimack Premium Outlet Mall project was approved by the Merrimack Planning Board in September 2008.

Simon Property representatives have stated throughout the project approval process that the outlets, located at Exit 10 off the F.E. Everett Turnpike, just off Industrial Drive in Merrimack, are expected to create more than 800 jobs, and generate roughly $140 million annually in retail sales while offering consumers (on average) daily savings of between 25 and 65 percent off regular retail prices.

Drive by shooting on Tanger Outlet Drive

2012-01-02T17:30:00.002-05:00

By: WCBD Newsroom | WCBD

Shortly after 3am on New Years Day, officers responded to a drive by shooting on I26.

When officers got to the parking lot of a Tanger Outlet Drive hotel, they were told a vehicle was shot at while driving West bound.

According to the people in the car, they were at Club Crucial in Dorchester county. During the course of the night, there was some type of altercation in the club.

All of the victims said they were not involved in the altercation but they knew there was something going on because they were being told to leave. The bouncers at the club said that they did put a lot of people out of the club due to a fight.

The victims left the Club and got onto I26EB heading home to downtown Charleston. They said an unknown car pulled up beside them and started shooting at them.

The driver pulled off the Interstate in to a hotel parking lot, where police were called.

None of the victims were able to provide any details on the make and model of the suspects vehicle.

The driver, Josh Everett of Charleston was hit by a bullet and taken to MUSC where he was released with non-life threatening injuries.

The additional occupants were not injured.

During the investigation, portions of I26 EB was closed for about 2 hours. The investigation continues.

Jigsaw opens at McArthurGlen's Cheshire Oak Designer Outlet

2011-12-30T06:00:00.000-05:00

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

2011-12-29T06:00:00.000-05:00

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

2011-12-28T06:00:00.001-05:00

source: fashionunited.co.uk

French fashion brand The Kooples has opened its first UKoutlet 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.”

Branson Store Closes Doors Before Special Meeting to Discuss Mall's Future

2011-12-28T06:00:00.000-05:00

Joanna Small and Brandon Foster Reporter and Photographer - KSPR

Snooki at Allen Premium Outlets

2011-12-27T20:44:00.000-05:00

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

2011-12-27T20:30:00.000-05:00

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

2011-12-27T20:22:00.001-05:00

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

2011-12-26T15:34:00.002-05:00

Merry Christmas

2011-12-25T06:00:00.000-05:00

The Little Drummer Boy

2011-12-24T06:00:00.000-05:00

Armed robbery at Wrentham Premium Outlets

2011-12-22T11:06:00.004-05:00

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

2011-12-22T11:03:00.002-05:00

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

2011-12-21T06:00:00.000-05:00

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

2011-12-20T16:43:00.002-05:00

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

2011-12-20T13:47:00.000-05:00

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

2011-12-19T15:09:00.000-05:00

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

2011-12-18T21:41:00.002-05:00

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."