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January/February
2004 Cover
Story
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Cover
Story
State of the Industry
In 2003 dozens of properties changed hands, a clear sign that
industrywide consolidation continued. Just two new outlet centers and
one megamall with a large outlet component, opened, but few could argue
with the credentials of the developers or the good prospects for the new
projects. And while the number of centers dipped to 229, a close look
shows that much of the contraction was technical in nature as VRN
began counting multiple centers in the same market as just one if
the same developer owns.
Cold
Product, Hot Growth
Cold Stone Creamery, the nation's fastest growing super-premium ice cream
franchise, passed a major milestone in mid-October when the Scottsdale,
Ariz.-based chain opened its 500th store in Eatontown, N.J. Now the company
is looking at outlet centers for some of its newest locations, and it
reports a dozen such deals are being considered.
Sourcing/Pricing Study
The second of a two-part series based on exclusive research by VRN
shows that outlet chains use a wide variety of methods to set the price
of outlet goods sold by the parent manufacturer.
Working Gear
A family-run chain does well selling Carhartt-brand goods, despite the
fact that its target customers are men who hate to shop and refuse to
devote much time to it
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A Time to Reflect |
Workshop Polishes Service
Center manager Dot Seybold tells how her outlet center in New
Hampshire reached out into the community and beyond to produce a meaningful
customer-service education program that drew a record number of attendees.
St.
Louis Mills
Mills Corp.'s newest megamall draws whopping crowds as the developer introduces
St. Louis Mills to the market just prior to the holidays. More than 200
tenants have space in the new megamall, and a story sidebar lists all
of the project's anchor and inline tenants.
Warrenton Warm-up
A new exterior paint job and several other improvements help warm up Warrenton
(Mo.) Outlet Center, a decade-old project long overdue for a facelift.
Project operator Horizon Group Properties, facing increased competition
- most notably the just-opened St. Louis Mills - hopes to attract more
market share with a retail setting inspired by the color palette of Tuscany.