May 2007 Cover Story Features

Cover Story

The outlet industry is built on brands that listen to their customers. This month we take a look at three outlet retailers, Ann Taylor Factory, Peruvian Connection and Helly Hansen, all standouts in the maxim, “Take care of the customer.”

Features

Ownership Changes
A listing of the country’s recent activity involving the sale of outlet centers shows both maturity and stability. Profiles of some of those ownership changes include:

Lake George, N.Y., where new owners plan to infuse the property with warmth

Tracy, Calif., where Northwest Outlets will add the center to its growing outlet portfolio

Perryville, Md., where the new owner says all the center needs is attention, which it didn’t get from its previous slew of operators

Reading, Pa., where a local broker plans to transform the historic Reading Outlet Center property into the first urban-style outlet center.

Outlet Blessing
Rockvale Outlets and four broadcast stations in the Lancaster, Pa., market have become stars at playing Santa Claus for their hometown’s needy families.

Thinking Green
More and more retail centers are saving money and the environment by using healthier, less polluting and more resource-efficient practices.

Perq-ing Up
In a recent survey conducted by Value Retail News, outlet-industry leaders say their companies offer both standard benefits as well as some perquisites not as universal.

Departments

News Up Front
Prime Outlets is set to renovate and add tenants in St. Augustine, Fla.; a master-community developer says 42 huge busts of U.S. presidents will help attract shoppers to his planned community and outlet center south of Houston; and Simon Property Group and Farallon Capital Management complete their $1.64 billion acquisition of Mills Corp.