Factory Outlet Insiders

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."

Woodstock GA approves new outlet center

2011-12-18T21:13:00.001-05:00

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ralph Lauren brand stays on message

2011-12-15T15:19:00.002-05:00

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

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

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

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

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

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

Two Strong Leaders

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

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

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

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

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

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

Brand Ambassadors

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

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

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

Premium Outlets Last Minute Gift Ideas

2011-12-15T15:19:00.001-05:00

Celebrities at Johor Premium Outlets

2011-12-15T15:18:00.002-05:00

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

by The Star Online

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tanger Announces the Appointment of Chad D. Perry as EVP

2011-12-15T15:18:00.001-05:00

Company Release - 12/12/2011 08:30

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

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

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

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

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

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

Santa Dash at McArthurGlen’s East Midlands Designer Outlet

2011-12-14T15:15:00.000-05:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PRLog (Press Release) - Dec 09, 2011 -

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dirty Dining: Makino at Las Vegas Premium Outlets

2011-12-14T15:14:00.002-05:00

By Daniel Gutierrez -KTNV13

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

The restaurant is Makino at the Las Vegas Premium Outlets.

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

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

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

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

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

Premium Outlets did not allow us on their property.

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

To watch the news story follow this LINK

Prime Minister opens Johor Premium Outlets

2011-12-14T15:14:00.001-05:00

by New Straits Times

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Purchase of Cookstown Outlet Mall completed

2011-12-13T15:51:00.000-05:00

Company Release - 12/09/2011 08:30

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

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

Simon Wants to End Lease for Factory Merchants Outlet Mall

2011-12-12T16:02:00.001-05:00

Reported by: Joy Robertson - Ozark First

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Maybe once a quarter," says another shopper.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Possible second outlet after Johar Premium Outlets

2011-12-12T16:02:00.000-05:00

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The JPO is slated for an official opening on Sunday.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Cramer’s Stocking Stuffer: Tanger Factory Outlet Centers

2011-12-11T16:57:00.001-05:00

By: Michelle Fox - CNBC

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

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

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

PacSun to close up to 200 stores

2011-12-11T16:38:00.001-05:00

|By Shan Li | Los Angeles Times

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

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

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

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

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

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

Golden Gate was given two seats on the PacSun board.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Steven B. Tanger to Appear on Bloomberg TV this Friday

2011-12-08T16:44:00.001-05:00

Company Release - 12/08/2011 16:05

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

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

2011-12-08T16:32:00.001-05:00

Company Release - 12/08/2011 16:02

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

Smart Holiday Shopping - Premium Outlets

2011-12-08T16:25:00.000-05:00

Torvill and Dean at McArtherGlen's York Designer Outlet

2011-12-07T14:59:00.000-05:00

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

Published on Thursday 1 December 2011 15:07 Shelby Times

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Simon and Genting Open Johor Premium Outlets

2011-12-06T14:50:00.000-05:00

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

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

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

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

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

SOURCE Simon Property Group, Inc.

If you build it will they come?

2011-12-04T17:20:00.001-05:00

By JAKE BERRY Staff Writer Nashua Telegraph

MERRIMACK – They are building it. Now the question is, will they come?

By the next holiday season, area shoppers will have a sparkling new selection of stores available at the Merrimack Premium Outlets center, currently under construction off Exit 10 of the F.E. Everett Turnpike.

When it opens, likely in June, the $100 million shopping center will consist of 100 upscale clothing, home goods and other retail outlets, offering products at factory rates. But, with the general retail market still suffering under the weight of the national recession, critics may wonder if this is the time or the place to open a large scale outlet center.

Project managers and retail industry analysts alike answer in a single word: Yes.

“Outlet shopping has become more integrated into consumers’ shopping routines, which bodes well for the opening of Merrimack Premium Outlets,” said Michele Rothstein, vice president of marketing for the project developer, Premium Outlets, which has projected as much $140 million in annual sales from the center.

“Outlet shopping is a different mentality,” added Nancy Kyle, president of the Retail Merchants Association of New Hampshire, which represents 800 businesses across the state. “Outlets become a destination. … They seem to do well regardless of the economy.”

Even during a recession, these claims play out in the sales numbers.

Retail sales continue to suffer around the state and across the country, analysts said. In New Hampshire alone, several major retail stores, including Building 19 in Nashua and Lowe’s Home Improvement in Manchester, have recently closed their doors. And, across the state, the retail industry has lost about 2,000 jobs in the last year alone, according to Dennis Delay, an economist for the New Hampshire Center for Public Policy.

But, while these numbers continue to fall, industry analysts report that outlet stores have either maintained or increased sales around the country. Across the map, general retail sales rose an average of 1.4 percent from April 2010 to April 2011, according to a recent consumer tracking study by the NPD Group, an international industry company. By comparison, outlet sales jumped more 17.9 percent, more than 10 times as high, during that time period, the study concluded.

“Consumers are much more careful today with their shopping dollars,” said Jack Plunkett, president of Plunkett Research, a Houston-based market research company that focuses on the retail industry.

“They want to feel like their money is well and wisely spent. … But they also want selection, and when they can get it, they want a brand name,” he said. “An outlet mall, if it is a good mall, it’s well positioned for today’s market.”

These trends are reflected locally, according to outlet managers around the region.

Officers at the Tanger Outlets in Tilton, the closest outlet center, did not return calls for comment for this story, but stores at the Kittery Outlets in Maine have thrived during the recession, according to Lynn Smith, the center’s marketing manager.

To a one, each of the center’s 120 stores have either maintained sales or grown over the last few years, Smith said earlier this month.

Some stores, like Liz Claiborne clothing, have closed because the parent company either shut down or downsized, she said. But, in total, the outlets have maintained their yearly average of about 5 percent turnover, meaning about five or six stores close per year. And those vacancies still tend to fill quickly, Smith said.

The Kittery outlets, located just across the state border from Portsmouth, currently have two vacancies, which is about average with or without a recession, she said. By contrast, more than 9 percent of stores in traditional retail malls remain vacant, according to recent study of the country’s 80 largest markets published by Reis Inc., a New York-based real estate research company.

“You hear what’s going on around the country and we just haven’t seen a lot of that,” said Smith, of the Kittery Outlets. “People are still shopping. They’re just making smarter decisions.”

From Kittery to Tilton to North Conway, outlet shoppers generally don’t hesitate to drive a distance to find their deals, according to industry analysts and business leaders. And the Merrimack center’s location along a major traffic artery only benefits it further, they said.

Positioned strategically between Manchester and Nashua, the outlets will draw heavily from New Hampshire’s two largest population centers, according to Chris Williams, president of the Greater Nashua Chamber of Commerce.

And with the Massachusetts border less than 20 miles away, Bay State shoppers will likely flood the area to take advantage of the absence of a state sales tax, which will drive prices down even further, Williams said.

“When you consider the proximity of Merrimack to the Massachusetts border, I think you’ll certainly see a lot of people from northern Massachusetts coming up here,” he said.

“But conversely, you’ll also have a lot of residents in the central and northern parts of the state who will now come down to Merrimack. … They’ll come from all over. This is going to have a very tremendously positive impact on our retail economy.”

Armed Robbery at McArthurGlen’s Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet

2011-12-04T17:15:00.001-05:00

Nov 30 2011 by Laurie Stocks-Moore, Ellesmere Port Pioneer

DETECTIVES have issued CCTV images of three men they want to speak to in connection with an armed robbery in Ellesmere Port.

The incident took place at the Tag Heuer store at McArthurGlen’s Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet on Thursday.

At about 6.05pm three men entered the store armed with claw hammers and metal bars.

They smashed the glass cabinets, stealing items from inside before fleeing the scene on foot. No-one was injured as a result of the incident.

The first offender is described as white and was wearing a turquoise waist-length jacket with a hood.

The jacket was dark blue under the arms.

He was also wearing blue gloves, grey Adidas tracksuit bottoms and black trainers with a light-coloured sole at the heel.

The second offender was wearing a black coat, a black hooded woollen body warmer with a grey and white waistband and a grey balaclava. He was also wearing blue and white gloves, grey tracksuit bottoms and black trainers.

The third offender was wearing a navy woollen cardigan with a zip at the front, a dark neck-warmer, which was pulled up over his face, and dark gloves. He was also wearing navy blue jeans and white trainers with black markings.

Anyone who witnessed the incident, knows the identity of the men or has any information which might assist officers with their enquiries, should call Cheshire Constabulary on 101, quoting incident number 715 of November 24. Information can also be passed on anonymously, via Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111.

Installation of outdoor Smart Screens in The Outlet Shoppes at Oklahoma City

2011-12-04T17:02:00.001-05:00

NEW YORK, Nov. 29, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Adspace Digital Mall Network, owner of the largest in-mall digital advertising network in the country, has launched its first-ever Smart Screen Digital Directory in select malls throughout its national network.

The Smart Screen Digital Directory features the latest touchscreen technology, and has been deployed in Westgate Mall in Boston and Galleria at Fort Lauderdale – both new malls to the Adspace Digital Mall Network.

Features of the directory include robust search functionality that allows shoppers to search by store name or category. Once a destination is chosen, a line draws out the path from the user's current location to the requested destination. It also prominently displays directions to elevators, restrooms and restaurants.

"This is a logical product extension for Adspace Networks. It's what the mall developers and editorial partners have been asking for," said Bill Ketcham, executive vice president and CMO, Adspace Networks. "We aim to be the one-stop resource for the best deals in the mall – and now we can show shoppers how to navigate to them."

In other company news, Adspace has taken over programming and ad sales on the 26 screen LCD network deployed at the Beverly Center, a premiere mall in Los Angeles. The screens are located throughout the parking facilities, escalator banks, and guest services.

Adspace continued its technological and retail innovation with the installation of outdoor Smart Screens in the network's first outlet mall. "The Outlet Shoppes at Oklahoma City" features upscale retailers such as DKNY and Polo Ralph Lauren.

The 24 mall expansion in 2011 was capped off with the addition of three premiere Class A malls: Bridgewater Commons in Bridgewater, NJ (NY DMA), The Mall in Columbia (Md.), and finally the historic South Street Seaport Mall in Manhattan, which includes the network's first large landscape format screen.

"We are continuing to explore different opportunities in the digital mall media space," said Dominick Porco, chairman and CEO, Adspace Networks. "Digital directories and all-weather Smart Screens demonstrate our flexible approach to giving mall shoppers the digital content they crave, enhancing their shopping experience and driving engagement for our advertising partners."

The Outlet Shoppes of Lake George opening 2013

2011-11-29T17:12:00.001-05:00

Jeffrey Was, President of The Was Group recently announced that The Was Group was pre-leasing The Outlet Shoppes of Lake George, NY.

Grand Opening is set for 2013.

For leasing information on The Outlet Shoppes of Lake George stop by The Was Group booth at the ICSC at the Sheraton Hotel #508 - or contact:

Jeffrey T. Was

President

The Was Group

862-203-4352

Networking Strategies for the Holidays

2011-11-28T23:35:00.001-05:00

by Ivan Misner - Entrepreneur.com

Holiday parties mean much more than free food and fun. They also can bring entrepreneurs a host of new opportunities to network and build relationships.

Most people think of networking only through the traditional venues, whether chamber of commerce events, business contact referral groups, or online sites such as LinkedIn. But holiday parties, including professional and industry social events where you can network with people outside your business, can be an even better time to introduce yourself to a new contact or share a friendly conversation with someone you already know.

To make the most of holiday party networking, here are a few things to keep in mind:

Be prepared. Try to learn in advance the names of people you will likely chat with, their jobs and their recent accomplishments. You will need to do a little homework, perhaps a Google search and a look at their LinkedIn or Facebook pages. Use the information you glean to break the ice.
Ask good questions. From the CEO to intern level, people love to talk about themselves. Here are some suggested conversation starters: How did you get started? What were some of the challenges with. . . ? Have you read any good books lately? My favorite is: How can I help you?
Have a "teaser” topic ready. Approaching the end of the year, every business executive is thinking about how to increase profits and performance in the new year. Have an idea ready that describes the steps you'd take to improve your networking contact's business. Make this research part of the homework you do ahead of time. But don't give away the goose; save the details for a later conversation
Don't have more than a couple of drinks. It's a party, but you don't want to smell of liquor or be too relaxed when you approach people you want to connect with. Impressions count. Make the right one.
Be confident of your value. Introducing yourself to an executive can be an intimidating experience, so give yourself a pep talk before the party. Make a list of your accomplishments over the past year and figure out how you might weave them into conversations. Once you've got that down, you should feel good about yourself.
Use the introduction to segue to a future meeting. You don't want to end your chat at the party. The endgame here is to open the door for a follow-up meeting one-to-one. But remember that a party is a social gathering, so keep it natural and leave them intrigued.
Honor the event. This is really important. Make sure that when networking at a holiday party -- or any nontraditional networking event for that matter -- you don't treat it like a business mixer. Show finesse. Yes, it is a great networking opportunity, but if you overtly sell, you may turn people off. After all, it is a holiday.

Retailers wary of shoplifters during holidays

2011-11-27T19:44:00.001-05:00

By Lisa Eckelbecker TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

As retailers cater to customers during the holiday shopping season, they're also guarding against some visitors they'd rather not acknowledge.

Thieves.

Retailers stand to lose billions of dollars nationwide this holiday season to theft, errors and fraud, and a portion of that will likely occur because of outsiders bent on walking out of stores with unpaid goods.

“Historically, we've noticed that those sort of things do pick up this time of year, said James J. Hurley, police chief in Leicester, where Wal-Mart Stores Inc. operates a Walmart superstore.

When merchandise goes missing between manufacturer and a store cash register, retailers call it “shrinkage.” The National Retail Federation estimated that shrinkage accounted for 1.58 percent of all retail sales in 2010, or a loss of about $37.1 billion for retailers.

Dishonest store employees get the blame for nearly 44 percent of shrinkage. Administrative error can account for nearly 13 percent of shrinkage, and vendor fraud for 5 percent. Some shrinkage never gets explained.

Then there's shoplifting, which caused about 33 percent, or $12 billion, of shrinkage in the United States last year.

If a shrinkage rate of 1.58 percent were to hold in Massachusetts during November and December, when retailers are expected to ring up $10.9 billion in revenues, the amount lost could add up to $170 million.

Thievery can take many forms, according to local police chiefs. Individual shoplifters may slip something into a pocket or bag and walk out. Sometimes a shoplifter will simply load a large boxed item, such as a television set, into a cart and walk out as if the bill has been paid.

Other times, thieves will pull an inexpensive boxed item off a shelf, open it, remove the merchandise, load the box with more expensive goods, close the box and check out, paying a fraction of the value of the goods. Also, those thieves who do not sell stolen property may try to return it to stores.

“Basically as a retailer, what you're faced with is from Thanksgiving to Christmas you're chasing shoplifters,” said Kevin M. Plante, chairman of the loss prevention committee of the Retailers Association of Massachusetts, a trade group. “Then after Christmas, you're dealing with return fraud.”

Organized rings of shoplifters pose another challenge, police chiefs said.

“We've had organized groups of shoplifters coming up from the New York City area in the past. They hit all the malls in the New England area,” said Mark F. Leonard, Marlboro police chief. “We've actually found maps, malls highlighted on maps that they have.”

Shoplifting remains a tough topic for retailers. Few want to discuss it, out of concern about alarming shoppers. They also do not want to reveal their loss-prevention measures or the number of security workers they have in place.

“Typically, due to the nature of security, we don't divulge any numbers,” said Sheila Hennessy, area mall marketing director for Simon Property Group Inc., the operator of malls in Worcester, Auburn and Marlboro.

The Retailers Association of Massachusetts has unsuccessfully pressed state lawmakers for several years to pass legislation that would allow shoplifting rings to be prosecuted as criminal enterprises, according to Mr. Plante. The trade group has also been working with mom-and-pop retailers that might not have loss-prevention resources, he said, and encouraging law enforcement officers to view shoplifting as a serious crime that can have links to organized crime, money laundering and even terrorist activity.

One of the best deterrents to shoplifting is an alert store employee who greets customers, according to police.

“To me, a good employee can save a company thousands of dollars in losses by being alert, by being customer friendly, and by know what's going on around them,” said Chief Hurley.

Still, no measures are foolproof, according to Mr. Plante.

“Retailers understand that 99.5 percent of our customers are honest. We should never make our policies for the minority,” Mr. Plante said. “When you put stuff out on the shelf and you let the public come into your building every day, there's going to be an assumption you're going to lose some of it.”

The Talent Store opens at Fidenza Village in Milan

2011-11-25T15:14:00.001-05:00

The Talent Store officially launches

Chic Outlet Shopping® was at the opening of The Talent Store, a new concept boutique unveiled at Fidenza Village in Milan. The exclusive event was attended by VIP guests from the world of fashion including American socialite Olivia Palermo and Franca Sozzani, Editor in Chief of Vogue Italia. Find out what they both had to say when talking exclusively to ChicTV.

The Talent Store is open until 31st December 2011.

Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T06:41:00.001-05:00

Top 10 tips for Black Friday at Woodbury Common

2011-11-22T17:13:00.001-05:00

by Izzy Grinspan - ny.racked.com

Nobody understands Black Friday at Woodbury Common better than Michele Rothstein. Rothstein is Senior VP of Marketing—otherwise known as "head shopper"—at Premium Outlets, which runs the upstate outlet mecca. She's been coordinating post-Thanksgiving sales for years and even helped pioneer the now-ubiquitous midnight opening over a decade ago. This morning, we called her up for an inside view on how to make it through one of the New York area's most daunting, exhilarating retail experiences.

Not familiar with what happens at Woodbury on Black Friday? Picture approximately a hundred sample sales happening at once, in the middle of the night, an hour outside New York City. Or just check out our coverage from last year.

Here are Rothstein's ten Woodbury Common tips:

1. Do your homework.
If you know Woodbury, you know the lay of the land. If you don't, arriving is not the time. The first tip is to look at the map and understand how it's laid out. Woodbury has a village setting—it's not like a mall, more like a town with different sections. Also, look at the deals which we have posted on the website. And figure out which stores open early. We've got lots of stores opening by 9pm. I think that has really helped shoppers who want to be the first ones through the door.

2. Know thyself.
One interesting thing about Black Friday: Some people love it, some people hate it. It's really the Superbowl of shopping, and if you're not in for the game, you might as well be sleeping. It's not for the meek—this is true power shopping. It's OK if that's not your thing. Just remember that the sales continue Saturday and Sunday, too.

3. Shop with someone who likes to shop.
I get a room at the Hampton Inn down the street, and my husband stays at the hotel. It's great: He's happy as a clam, and I don't feel guilty. I used to bring my kids; now I don't bring my kids. So know your family, know your friends, shop with people who are really into this. This is a marathon. Don't bring someone who's going to whine.

4. Stay mobile.
I'm posting sales at like 2am as they're coming in from merchants. Some of them have known for weeks and months what their promos are, others are just deciding today. Hopefully by Black Friday we'll be done, but you can see up to the minute what the stores are offering. We also have a mobile link for the sales. We have QR codes all around the center, so as you're shopping, scan it and you can read the updated list of stores.

5. Consider your parking options.
Make your list of the top ten stores and then circle on the map where they are. That's going to determine where you're going to park. Especially if you're going to buy heavy things, park near where you're going to unload your bags.

6. Dress for the party.
We're an outdoor center; this is not Florida. Wear very comfortable shoes. I see women walk around in high heels at midnight, and it's like, are you kidding me? This is not a fashion show. We do have dressing rooms and we don't encourage people to try things on in the aisles, but still wear clothing you can change out of easily.

7. Act fast.
Don't procrastinate. Don't purchase foolishly and impulsively, but it's better to buy something you love and return it than to miss a one-of-a-kind piece.

8. Get there at 3am
Between 3am and 5am there's a middle-of-the-morning lull. It actually gets quiet—well, not quiet, but less busy-busy, because the first crop of people have left. And then the next group of people aren't really targeting 3am. Psychologically, they're aiming for 6am. Parking is still not easy, but it's something to be aware of.

9. Share your finds.
This isn't a tip, but we're @premiumoutlets on Twitter and we love to hear from people. We're also on Facebook and we have someone monitoring 24/7. We love when people go home, take shots of their purchases, and send them to us. Hey, if you got up in the middle of the night, you should brag about it! It's the whole communal bargain-hunting thing. Also, if you share your tips, you'll help us plan for next year.

10. Bone up on your language skills.
We have buses leaving Port Authority before 8pm. Everyone's gearing up. We have people flying in from all over the world for this event. You just have to do it once. I think a lot of the international visitors feel that way, that it's one of those American experiences. We get so much international press who come and they feel like it's a major world event.

Black Friday Shopper Safety Tips

2011-11-22T17:05:00.001-05:00

Here are some great shopper safety tips for Black Friday from the Mobile Alabama Police Department

There is safety in numbers. Shopping with others reduces your chances of being a victim.
Park only in well-lit areas in designated parking lots.
Avoid large groups of people who appear to be loitering in parking lots.
Avoid any unnecessary contact with unknown people in parking lots.
Make sure valuable items are not left in plain sight in a vehicle or unattended in a shopping cart.
Have a cell phone available to call for help if needed.
Parents should place an identity card in their child’s pocket in the event they become separated from one another. The card should provide the name of the child, address, telephone contact numbers and the name of a relative.
In the event that parents and children are separated, the children should be instructed to go to the nearest police officer.
Do not purchase items from non-licensed solicitors in parking lots.

SOURCE: By Rhoda A. Pickett, Press-Register- al.com

FASHION HOUSE OUTLET CENTRE TO OPEN NOVEMBER 2012

2011-11-22T08:07:00.001-05:00

FASHION HOUSE Group announced today that FASHION HOUSE Outlet Centre Moscow is on track for opening in November 2012.

Brendon O’Reilly, Managing Director of FASHIONHOUSE Group ‘This week we started above the ground construction and we look forward to seeing the structure take shape over the coming months. We are ahead of schedule on leasing with some very exciting brands signing up and we are on track for the first handover date for tenants in July 2012 and an opening date of Thursday 22nd November 2012.’

Fashion House Group has just appointed Q-TEC, a leading Russian construction management company, as the general contractor for the project.

Sergey Bezborodov, President, Q-TEC comments: ‘We are experts in Russian construction market and welcome the opportunity to be involved with one of the first outlet centres in Russia. We have an in-depth understanding of the FASHIONHOUSE project and are delighted to be part of the team.’

Brendon adds: ‘Q-TEC has a breadth of experience, a track record of delivering results, a dedication to excellence and a reputation for working in partnership with their clients which is exactly the kind of company we need for this project.’

FASHION HOUSE OutletCentre Moscow will be located 12 km away from Moscow, on Leningradskoe Shosse,near the Sheremetyevo International airport. The site is 38,826 sq m with 28,641 sq m GLA; it will be home to 192outlet units, foodcourt and cafes, 1865 parking spaces and a children’s playarea.

It will be a fully-enclosed outlet centre with an exterior architectural concept exhibiting a “traditional Moscow classic architectural style” and an interior boasting the “Window to Europe” concept: galleries will transport the visitors to the streets of various European cities, including London, Paris, Milan and others.

Brendon explains that FASHION HOUSE Group has received a high level of interest from brands: 'Our leasing team is working with a wide range of brands and we will be announcing more lease signings over the coming months. Brands already signed up include Puma L’Etoile,Lacoste, Calzedonia, Incanto, Econika, Henderson, Ralf Ringer and Intimissimi.'

He adds: ‘For all our centres we aim to provide the right mix of local, European and International designer and sports brands relevant to the marketplace. With the current interest levels we are confident Moscow will have the high caliber tenant list required for a successful outlet venture.’

FASHION HOUSE Group is the leading factory outlet developer in CEE and an expert in emerging markets. Their portfolio currently includes the management of three award winning Outlet Centres in Poland as well as centres in Switzerland and Romania. They currently have development projects in Romania, Slovenia, Ukraine and Serbia as well as Moscow and a second Russian site in St. Petersburg.

Women gives birth in shoe outlet.

2011-11-21T14:47:00.001-05:00

By Hayden Smith - Metro.co.uk

Michelle Collins went into labour at a Clarks factory outlet and had her son in the staff room.

The mother of two has called him Ethan Clark, after the shoe shop chain.

‘I didn’t get any of my shopping but I did leave with a baby,’ she said.

‘I’m so grateful to all the staff who helped me and helped to look after my daughter, Jodie while I was otherwise engaged.

‘Staff there were brilliant and kept Jodie occupied by chatting with her – they even found her some pens and paper so she could do some drawings.’

She had gone to the store in Street, Somerset, to buy things for her new arrival – but she went into labour earlier than expected.

Two paramedics delivered Ethan, born weighing a healthy 4kg (8lb 15oz) in the store’s staff room.

Mrs Collins, from nearby Clutton, thanked the staff and members of the public who helped out during the surprise delivery last month.

‘He’s a lovely baby and we’re doing really well,’ she said.

‘We’re so grateful to everyone in Street for their help in making sure Ethan got here.’

RioCan and Tanger Acquire Cookstown Outlet Mall

2011-11-21T14:42:00.001-05:00

Company Release - 11/21/2011 08:00

TORONTO, ONTARIO and GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA--(Marketwire - Nov. 21, 2011) - RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust ("RioCan") (TSX:REI.UN) and Tanger Outlet Centers, Inc. ("Tanger") (NYSE:SKT), today announced that through their co-ownership agreement conditions pursuant to a purchase and sale agreement have been waived to acquire Cookstown Outlet Mall on a co-ownership basis. The co-owners expect to acquire the property on a 50/50 basis at an anticipated purchase price of $62 million (Canadian dollar, at 100%), which includes the consideration paid for excess density. RioCan will provide development and property management services and Tanger will provide leasing and marketing services. The joint venture will assume the in place financing of $30 million (Canadian dollar) which carries an interest rate of 5.1% and matures in 2014.

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

RioCan and Tanger have also entered into a purchase and sale agreement to acquire approximately 50 acres of land in Kanata, Ontario, near Ottawa, to be developed as a Tanger Outlet Center. Subject to conditions, the co-owners are expected to acquire the land, which is located off of the TransCanada Highway (Highway 417) at Palladium Drive on a 50/50 basis.

The concept, design and merchandising of the Ottawa centre will be similar to those within the highly successful Tanger portfolio of outlet centres in the US. The site is located in the suburban Ottawa market of Kanata and will benefit from its access to the greater Ottawa market. When fully complete, the project will be home to approximately 350,000 square feet of branded factory outlet retailers from the U.S. and Canada offering consumers a unique opportunity to purchase merchandise directly from leading designer and brand name manufacturers at a substantial savings.

"We are very pleased to be able to jump start our co-ownership with Tanger and bring our collective expertise to a very well established, well located property and make it a key destination outlet shopping centre for Toronto and the surrounding area", said Edward Sonshine, President and CEO of RioCan. "Our site in Ottawa, represents an exciting opportunity to expand our co-ownership platform beyond Toronto, into other key Canadian retail markets."
"The acquisition of Cookstown Outlet Mall and its rebranding as the first Tanger Outlet Center north of the border accelerate our plans with RioCan for outlet center development in Canada," commented Steven Tanger, President and CEO of Tanger. "The addition of the site in the Ottawa market puts us well on the way to the establishment of a Canadian outlet shopping platform," he added.

Surge in outlets seen as next big thing for REITs

2011-11-20T19:09:00.001-05:00

Steven Tanger

By Jeff Benjamin -Investment News

To hear it from the perspective of retail-sector real estate specialists, it might be easy to assume that the U.S. economy is moving full-steam ahead. And that bodes well for investors in retail properties, particularly outlet centers.

“Retail sales are holding up well because consumers are still spending,” said David Henry, president and chief executive of Kimco Realty Corp. “People are tired of being scared, and 90% of them are still working.”

Mr. Henry was part of a panel discussion this morning in Dallas at the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts' annual convention.

Panel moderator Jeffrey Donnelly, managing director of equity research at Wells Fargo Securities LLC, kicked off the session by pointing out that the retail segment has been one of the strongest sectors of the REIT space since the recovery began in March 2009.

The NAREIT conference, REIT World 2011, has attracted more than 1,200 attendees, including real estate investment trust executives, portfolio managers and investment bankers, all seeking nuggets of information on the real estate market.

While the story for the retail sector is rosy on the surface, a closer look does expose some unique challenges for REITs and REIT investors, according to Sandeep Mathrani, chief executive of General Growth Properties Inc., who also sat on the morning panel.

Elaborating on a reference to a barbell situation, which underscores strong retail sales at both the high end and at the deep-discount end of the market, Mr. Mathrani pointed out that luxury goods continue to do well because unemployment is still relatively low for better-educated consumers.

In terms of where consumers are spending their money, panelist Steven Tanger, president and chief executive of Tanger Factory Outlet Centers Inc., said outlet shopping centers have plenty of momentum. “In tough times like these, people like a bargain, but they also gravitate to brand names,” he said.

Mr. Tanger also suggested there is an evolution coming to the outlet space, which continues to create investment opportunities for real estate investors. “It used to be that outlet centers were located two hours away from metropolitan areas, but now they're sometimes as close as 10 miles away,” he said.

He added that the total U.S. footprint for outlet centers is around 50 million square feet in 150 outlet centers.

By comparison, retail-shopping space in Chicago alone covers 170 million square feet. “I could see the number of outlet centers growing to 250 in the next two years,” Mr. Tanger said. “Any [retailer] trying to grow has part of the focus on the outlets.”

Midnight Madness

2011-11-20T19:00:00.001-05:00

Simon and Woodmont Outlets Announce a Joint Venture to Develop St. Louis Premium Outlets

2011-11-20T18:55:00.001-05:00

INDIANAPOLIS, Nov. 15, 2011 /PRNewswire via COMTEX

Simon Property Group, Inc., (NYSE: SPG), Woodmont Outlets and EWB Development LLC announced that they have signed a Letter of Intent to create a joint venture agreement for the development, construction, leasing and management of St. Louis Premium Outlets®, a new upscale outlet center in Chesterfield, Missouri. Simon will own 60% share of the project.

The new outlet center, which was announced in October as Spirit of St. Louis Outlets, will be comprised of 55 acres and will anchor Chesterfield Blue Valley, a mixed-use development to include office space, hotel, restaurant and entertainment venues. Located on the south side of I-64/US Highway 40 east of the Daniel Boone Bridge, the center will serve area residents and visitors. A first phase of approximately 350,000 square feet is projected to open Fall 2013. The project has ample room for future expansion.

"We are pleased to be a part of this exciting project and look forward to working with Woodmont Outlets and EWB Development," commented John R. Klein. President of Simon's Premium Outlets platform. "It will fit in well with our portfolio of outlet centers. Many area shoppers and visitors are well acquainted with the Premium Outlets branded concept of upscale outlet shopping and many of our 69 properties worldwide which include top centers such as Woodbury Common Premium Outlets in New York, Orlando Premium Outlets, Florida and Gotemba Premium Outlets near Tokyo, Japan."

"We are thrilled that Simon Property Group has chosen to work with our company on bringing high quality outlet shopping to the area," said Stephen Coslik, Chairman and CEO of Woodmont Outlets, an affiliate of The Woodmont Company. "We have an ideal site which we are confident will appeal to shoppers. We have received strong feedback from the merchant community."

TEEN STAR VICTORIA JUSTICE TO PERFORM AT CITADEL OUTLETS CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING

2011-11-18T15:17:00.001-05:00

American Idol Season 10's Pia Toscano Opens for Victoria Justice, Johnny Gill

(City of Commerce, CA) - Citadel Outlets, L.A.'s only outlet shopping center, kicks off the holiday season with American teen sweetheart, Victoria Justice ("Victorious" on Nickelodeon), who will give a FREE performance on Saturday, November 19, 2011 with tree lighting festivities beginning at 5pm. Citadel Outlets, along with HOT 92.3's Rick Dees and FOX TV's Tony McEwing will present the celebration with the lighting of a 90-ft White Fir Christmas Tree, the arrival of Santa Claus and the annual Toys for Tots toy drive.

The festivities will include a performance by American Idol Season 10 finalist Pia Toscano, Santa Claus will officially light the Christmas tree with Victoria Justice followed by a musical performance by Billboard's top R&B artist, Johnny Gill. This year more than 12,000 colored lights, bows and sparkling accents will light up the glorious Christmas tree, which will be located in Center Court near Guess. No reservations are needed. The concert is open to the public. For more details, visit Customer Service or log-on to, www.citadeloutlets.com.

Customers are encouraged to please bring a new, unwrapped toy to donate to Toys for Tots, the United States Marine Corps' organized toy drive that collects and distributes toys as holiday gifts to needy children in the community.

Performance Line-Up

* Pia Toscano at 5:00pm

* Victoria Justice at 6:00pm
* Santa Claus/Tree Lighting at 7:00pm
* Johnny Gil at 7:30pm

About Victoria Justice: The American actress, singer, songwriter, and dancer debuted as an actress at the age of 10 and has since appeared in several films and television series including the Nickelodeon series Zoey 101 and Victorious. Aside from acting, Justice is involved in her musical career. She has performed several songs for the soundtrack to the Nickelodeon musical Spectacular!, in which she starred. She has recorded a number of songs for the Victorious series. Justice has announced the release of her debut album, expected to be released in 2012.

About Johnny Gill: Johnny Gill is an American R&B singer-songwriter. He is the sixth and final member of the R&B supergroup New Edition, and was also a member of another supergroup called LSG; with Gerald Levert and Keith Sweat. His signature song "My, My, My" has been included on numerous romantic compilations.

ABOUT CITADEL OUTLETS: Citadel Outlets, located just 10 minutes south of Downtown Los Angeles and only 25 minutes north of Anaheim is an ideal shopping destination for the California visitor. They now offer a new, round-trip daily shuttle service (LA's Outlet Express) from Disneyland and key hotels in and around the Anaheim/Disney area. Citadel Outlets has an array of retail stores for shoppers to experience. The tenant mix continues to grow with recent 2011 openings including Michael Kors, Kipling, COACH, Not Your Daughter's Jeans, hot designer Vince Camuto, Tilly's, The Children's Place, Perry Ellis, Volcom and Juicy Couture.

Become a fan of Citadel Outlets Facebook page to receive up-to-the-minute information about the center. Otherwise call (323) 888-1724 or visit www.CitadelOutlets.com for additional information about Citadel Outlets including shuttle service rates and schedule.

Yeoju Premium Outlets to double in size

2011-11-14T16:59:00.001-05:00

Participants pose after signing a memorandum of understanding to double the size of Yeoju premium outlets, owned by Shinsegae Chelsea, in Korea at the premium outlet mall in Las Vegas, Sunday. From left are Shinsegae Chelsea CEO Choi Wu-yeol; John Klein, head of premium outlets centers of Simon Property Group; Gyeonggi Governor Kim Moon-soo; Mayor Kim Chun-seok of Yeoju County; and Huh In-chul, vice president of strategy planning office of Shinsegae Group. / Courtesy of Shinsegae Group

By Jung Sung-ki - The Korea Times

Shinsegae Chelsea, an affiliate of retail giant Shinsegae Group, plans to double the size of its premium outlet mall in Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province, by 2014, the company announced Monday.

The plan is part of efforts to “meet the consumer needs” by diversifying the fashion brands to be sold there to draw more visitors and boost the regional economy, it said in a news release.

Under a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed by Shinsegae Chelsea ― a 50-50 joint venture between Shinsegae and U.S.-based Simon Property Group ― about $67 million will be invested in expanding the site of Yeoju Premium Outlets to 462,700 square meters from the current 264,400 square meters, the release said.

The renovated mall will have 48,900 square meters of retail space compared to the current 25,800 square meters, it said, while the number of brands is to increase from the current 140 to 250.

“Annual sales have been on a steady increase, and the expansion of the mall is expected to lift sales further,” Choi Kyung-hee, a spokeswoman of Shinsegae Chelsea, told The Korea Times, declining to elaborate the sales figures.

The expansion of the U.S.-style luxury mall is forecast to create about 2,000 jobs and draw approximately 6 million domestic and foreign visitors annually, she said. Last year, about 4 million customers visited the mall.

To bolster the regional economy, principal agricultural products of Yeoju, such as rice, sweet potatoes and peanuts, are to be sold in the space of 1,650 square meters.

“Since its opening in 2007, Yeoju Premium Outlets has successfully laid the groundwork for a family-based shopping culture while combining shopping and tourism, not just a fashion outlet mall,” Shinsegae Chelsea CEO Choi Wu-yeol said after the signing ceremony in Las Vegas on Sunday. “I hope the outlet mall is further developed into an Asian shopping landmark beyond a shopping mall in the far suburbs.”

Gyeonggi Governor Kim Moon-soo said, “Yeoju Premium Outlets helped put Yeoju on the map and with an increasing number of visitors, the regional economy has expanded substantially.”

In March, Shinsegae Chelsea opened its second Korea-based premium outlet mall in Paju, north of Seoul. The mall of 31,000 square meters has 165 stores and offers more diverse brands than in Yeoju.

NAREIT REITWorld Conference 2011 to Feature Tanger CEO as Panelist

2011-11-14T16:49:00.001-05:00

Company Release - 11/14/2011 08:45
GREENSBORO, N.C., Nov. 14, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tanger Factory Outlets, Inc.(NYSE:SKT) announced today that Steven B. Tanger, President and Chief Executive Officer, will be a featured presenter at NAREIT's REITWorld Conference on Tuesday, November 15, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. EST.

A link to the live audio-only webcast will be available online at the company's website under the investor relations link, or at http://reitstream.com/reitworld2011/tanger. An online replay will be available at the same locations for 30 days beginning approximately four hours after the conclusion of the panel.

The company's Third Quarter Ended September 30, 2011 Management Presentation may be accessed through www.tangeroutlet.com, under Investors, Financial Reports.

Tanger Outlets Closes on Recast of Unsecured Revolving Lines of Credit

2011-11-14T16:46:00.001-05:00

GREENSBORO, N.C., Nov. 8, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc. (NYSE:SKT), today announced its operating partnership, Tanger Properties Limited Partnership, has amended its $400 million in unsecured revolving lines of credit, increasing total capacity to $520 million and extending maturity through November 2015.

"This recast not only extends maturity of our lines by two years, it brings our revolvers in line with current market conditions, reducing our LIBOR spread and facility fee by a combined 80 basis points annually," commented Steven B. Tanger, President and Chief Executive Officer. "The expansion of our lines increases capacity by 30%, affording us maximum flexibility in refinancing our $150 million bridge loan prior to its maturity. Together with the free cash flow generated by our operations, this additional capacity leaves us well positioned to fuel our pipeline for future growth," he added.

The maturity date of the amended lines is November 10, 2015, and the Company has an option to extend them for one year to November 10, 2016. At closing the facilities bear interest at a spread over LIBOR of 125 basis points plus a 25 basis point annual facility fee, based on the operating partnership's current long-term debt rating. Previously, the spread was 190 basis points and the annual facility fee was 40 basis points.

The facilities include a $20 million bilateral liquidity facility for which Bank of America, N.A. is the sole Lender, as well as a $500 million syndicated line for which Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, and U.S. Bank, N.A. are Joint Bookrunners and Joint Lead Arrangers. The syndicated line may be increased to $750 million through an accordion feature in certain circumstances. In addition, the syndicated facility now includes a money market competitive bid feature that will allow Tanger to benefit from any further compression in market spreads, as well as a $100 million multi-currency sublimit that may be used for Canadian dollar borrowings. Participating banks are as follows:

Name of Institution	Facility Title
Bank of America, N.A.	Administrative Agent
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.	Syndication Agent
U.S. Bank, N.A.	Syndication Agent
SunTrust Bank	Documentation Agent
Branch Banking and Trust Company	Documentation Agent
PNC Bank, N.A.	Lender
Regions Bank	Lender
Royal Bank of Canada	Lender
The Bank of Nova Scotia	Lender

Deer Widows Weekend at Birch Run Premium Outlets

2011-11-13T20:28:00.001-05:00

By Maria Amante - The Saginaw News

BIRCH RUN--A Birch Run Premium Outlet tradition is alive and well for shoppers this year.

The 16th annual Deer Widows Weekend brought shoppers from across the state and country, all trying to score a deal and save a buck while many of their partners were trying to score a buck on the hunt.

Fire arm deer hunting season opened Nov. 15.

Richmond resident Nicole Rhein said she has been coming to Deer Widow's Weekend for several years.

"We come every year, it's a tradition," she said. "It's a fun weekend with the girls, and we always find good deals. There are always good deals to be found."

Rhein said she isn't exactly on the hunt for Christmas shopping yet, she isn't ignoring her holiday shopping during the weekend. She has found some items and used coupons to further squeeze a deal out of her shopping excursion.

"Every gift I get someone else, I myself one for myself," she said. "I'm doing well for Christmas."

A 15-year veteran of Deer Widow's Weekend, Grand Rapids resident Carol Hekman said the time at Birch Run Premium Outlets is a great excuse to have fun while the boys go on the hunt.

"Always, this a great time, and an excellent excuse for a shopping spree," Hekman said.

Bay City resident Lucy Horak said was spending her time shopping and relaxing at the outlets.

"We're just enjoying the day," she said. "It's fun to be here while the guys go away for a few days, the girls get to get out and have a good time."

Murderer arrested at Philadelphia Premium Outlets

2011-11-13T09:43:00.001-05:00

Leon Robinson (left) and Clevus Robinson (right) - no blood relation.CreditCourtesy

by Kevin Haslam - Limerick-Royersford-SpringCity Patch
The following release was sent in by Limerick Township Police Chief Bill Albany:

On Wednesday, Nov. 9, at approximately 2:15 p.m., Limerick police responded to the Timberland store located at the Philadelphia Premium Outlet Mall. The store manager reported that two men had been inside the store acting suspicious and after they left the store an empty boot box was found in the area where they had been standing. Police reviewed store surveillance footage and one of the males could be seen removing the boots and hiding them under his coat while the second male positioned himself to block the view of store employees. Both men left the store without making a purchase.

Responding police units located the males in another area of the mall. They did not have the boots with them and denied any knowledge of the theft. They even denied knowing each other and said it was coincidence that they were walking side by side. The subjects were identified as Clevus

Robinson, age 39 of the 600 block of Rosalie Street in Philadelphia and Leon Robinson, age 37 of the 6300 block of N. 10th Street in Philadelphia. The males stated they were not related.

Clevus Robinson, the subject observed taking the boots, was found to be wearing an under garment used by thieves to hide merchandize and he was in possession of wire cutters and a magnet used to defeat security sensors. Leon Robinson was found to be in possession of a 1997 Oldsmobile minivan and a search warrant was obtained for the vehicle. Police subsequently located the stolen boots along with stolen merchandise from other outlet retailers in addition to shopping bags lined with foil to defeat security sensors. Both subjects were arrested and charged with theft and related offenses. They were arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Walter Gadzicki and transported to Montgomery County Correctional Facility in lieu of bail. [Leon $25,000, Clevus $10,000].

Leon Robinson was recently paroled from state prison with prior arrests for murder, robbery, aggravated assault, riot and fire arms violations. Clevus Robinson has 19 prior arrests that include firearms violations and nine prior retail theft arrests.

Simon Property Group Sells $1.2 Billion of Senior Notes

2011-11-13T09:37:00.001-05:00

INDIANAPOLIS, Nov. 10, 2011 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ --

Property Group, Inc. (NYSE: SPG) announced today that its majority-owned partnership subsidiary, Simon Property Group, L.P. (the "Operating Partnership"), has agreed to sell $1.2 billion of its senior unsecured notes in an underwritten public offering through Citigroup Global Markets Inc., J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Goldman, Sachs & Co. and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, as joint book-running managers, and Mitsubishi UFJ Securities (USA), Inc., RBC Capital Markets, LLC, SMBC Nikko Capital Markets Limited, SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc. and U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc., as co-managers. The offering consists of $500.0 million of 2.800% notes due 2017 and $700.0 million of 4.125% notes due 2021. The offering is expected to close on November 16, 2011.

The Operating Partnership intends to use the net proceeds from this offering to partially repay the outstanding U.S. dollar balance of its senior unsecured credit facility and for general business purposes.

Copies of the prospectus and prospectus supplement may be obtained by calling Citigroup Global Markets Inc. toll-free at 1-877-858-5407, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC collect at 1-212-834-4533, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated toll-free at 1-800-294-1322, Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. toll-free at 1-800-503-4611, Goldman, Sachs & Co. toll-free at 1-866-471-2526 or Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC toll-free at 1-866-718-1649.

This communication does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in any jurisdiction to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation in such jurisdiction.