January/February 2008 Cover Story Features

Cover Story

Midnight Madness Grows Up
Outlet retailers nationwide launched a juggernaut on Black Friday, garnering tremendous sales, a rash of PR and thousands of traffic-stopping shoppers. VRN presents full coverage, including ideas from industry execs on how the promotion can be improved, along with a roundup of stories that appeared in the local press.

Features

Philadelphia Premium Outlets opens to crowds
Just in time for the holidays, Chelsea Property Group opened Philadelphia Premium Outlets, its only domestic outlet center to launch in 2007 and the 45th Premium Outlet Center in its portfolio.

Making Landscaping Pop
The Brickman Group - the nation’s largest commercial landscaping firm - shares tips with VRN readers for outlet center landscape design.

Rawlings Sees Homer in Outlets
A legendary name in sporting goods - Rawlings Sporting Good Co - likes outlet retailing so much that a chain of 20 stores could be in its future.

Berean Plans Outlet Expansion
Berean Christian Stores, a veteran in an industry valued at $4 billion to $5 billion a year, is planning to open eight to 10 outlet units by yearend 2008 and 10 more in 2009.

Soft Housing Impacts Retailers
The weak housing market takes a toll on furniture and accessories retailers with at least three chains that operate.

Departments

News Up Front
A new outlet-center development company will develop Laredo Factory Stores in Texas and the NeuMarkt project in Jackson, Tenn. A joint venture will develop an outlet center in Rockford, Ill.; and another JV will develop Pinnacle Village, an outlet center in Bemidji, Minn; meanwhile, Chelsea Property Group prepares to open Houston Premium Outlets on March 27.