January/February 2006 Cover Story Features

Cover Story

Ten Trends for 2006
Ten trends for 2006 identified by the staff at VRN have a common thread: luxury. Among the trends to watch for this year are new retail formats, upscale expansions to centers, conventional retailers joining the outlet ranks and vice-versa, and more ownership changes.

Shopping with 20/20
A favorable report on ABC’s 20/20 program tells us what we knew all along: Outlet shopping is a good deal. The nationwide coverage could spell more good publicity for the industry in the coming years.

Features

Q&A with Zegna
Fernando Ulloa, director of U.S. outlets for Italian menswear designer Ermenegildo Zegna, talks about the company’s future outlet growth as it opens its fourth outlet store.

Zooming with Zumiez
Creating a chain that’s fun to hang out in, board-sports retailer Zumiez aims its stores and outlets at shoppers from 12 to 24.

Claiborne’s Clout
Liz Claiborne Inc. acquires sports/lifestyle brand Prana and makes a $366 million bid on J. Jill Group.

Breathe Deeply
Shoppers can get an added boost in Gurnee Mills, where bubbling pink, green and orange tubes dispensing oxygen and aromatherapy attract the tired, the tense and the anxious.

Extreme Maker in San Marcos
Prime Retail launches its newly updated Prime Outlets-San Marcos (Texas) with a tip of the hat to Venice.

Chelsea’s Expansion
Chelsea Property Group plans to expand its Premium Outlets centers in Orlando and Las Vegas.

Growing Citadel Outlets
A November grand opening marks the newest addition to Citadel Outlets in Los Angeles, a $52 million addition that attracts Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, Reebok, Nautica, Guess and others.

Fighting the Heat
High summer temperatures in Lake Elsinore have been keeping shoppers away in droves, so Craig Realty Group decided to cool off things with a $4 million makeover that includes canopies and trees.