October 2005 Cover Story Features

Cover Story

Spotlight on Excellence
Outlet veteran and magnet tenant Nike, known as much in this industry for being a traffic-puller and customer-pleaser as for its distinctive swoop logo, its spectacular ad campaigns and its superb athletic wear, triumphed at the presentation of the 2nd Annual Outlet Retail Chain Awards (ORCAs), held Sept. 12 in Orlando at the 2005 VRN Fall Outlet Retail Convention. Nike won the Best Overall Chain award, as well as the top honors in the Best Value Equation (with co-winner VF Factory Outlet) and Best Marketing categories. Nike also took an honorable mention in the Best Customer Service category.

Features

New Ownership
News Up Front features stories on Tanger Factory Outlet Centers’ full purchase of the former Charter Oak’s portfolio; plus new owners at three outlet centers in New York, Mississippi, and Massachusetts.

Katrina’s Wrath
In the wake of Hurricane Katrina’s Aug. 29th assault on the Gulf Coast, the outlet retail industry was both shaking off the devastation from the storm and marshalling efforts to help. Hardest hit among the outlet centers was Prime Retail’s 307,000-sf village-style center in Gulfport, Miss. Plus roundups of what the industry is doing to help.

Retail News
J. Crew expects to pull in $200 million as it goes public, while Under Armour expects to pull in $100 million in its IPO. Liz Claiborne projects store growth, and questions linger whether Tommy Hilfiger will be sold. Haggar and Lenox have new owners.

Digging Round Rock
Ground was broken this summer on Round Rock (Texas) Premium Outlets, which is being developed in two phases north of Austin by Chelsea Property Group. IKEA says it will open its third Texas store in Round Rock. Competitors in Laredo and San Marcos make note, too.

San Marcos Opening
The first phase of an expansion and renovation of Prime Outlets - San Marcos (Texas) opens, giving shoppers an idea of what the completed project will look like: Venice, Italy.