June/July 2008 Cover Story Features

Cover Story

Prime’s Jewel
Prime Retail unveiled its Prime Outlets International Orlando on May 24, celebrating the $150 million renovation of the center and at the same time launching new consumer marketing that shouts, “The world is your runway.”

Featured Coverage

ORCA Nominations
Get ready for the fifth annual Outlet Retail Chain Awards – nomination forms will be going out to everyone in the industry for these coveted honors in six categories.

Classy Cole Haan
Cole Haan has begun rolling out a new store design – a kind of sleek beachy look – to complement the classic image conveyed by the company’s handbag, briefcase and footwear styles and to elevate the chain image to the top of the luxury ladder.

RECon RECap
Outlets were all the buzz at ICSC’s 2008 RECon. VRN was on the scene, reporting on comments heard around the mammoth exhibition, trade and retail halls, as well as in the outlet session, “Outlet Retailing’s Global Reach.”

Direct Mail Tips
With more than 99 percent of American homes using direct-mail coupons as part of their everyday shopping pattern, many outlet chains and outlet centers have also turned to direct mail as a viable source for creatively increasing their revenue. Fifteen tips help those campaigns be more successful.

Buyers’ Behavior
A new study reveals that 91 percent of Americans will change their buying behavior in 2008 in the wake of slumping economic conditions, with 60 percent of adults specifically cutting back on purchases.

Rich Women Rule
Married women in households earning $150,000 or more per year make 64 percent of the buying decisions.

Smooth Sailing?
The real estate market may be suffering and the price of gasoline may be going through the roof, but these changes have failed to put much of a damper on the outlet industry.