What is an outlet center?
You’re driving on an interstate heading out on vacation. You’ve been on the road for three hours. You’re tired. Suddenly, you get the urge to pull over and–do some bargain shopping? Discount malls, also known as outlet centers, are often situated far from residential communities. They are a strange but successful phenomenon in the troubled world of retailing. America’s 294 outlet centers anchored total outlet sales of $11.4 billion in 1994, according to Value Retail News. In 1990, there were just 183 centers and sales of $6.3 billion.
You’re driving on an interstate heading out on vacation. You’ve been on the road for three hours. You’re tired. Suddenly, you get the urge to pull over and–do some bargain shopping? Discount malls, also known as outlet centers, are often situated far from residential communities. They are a strange but successful phenomenon in the troubled world of retailing. America’s 294 outlet centers anchored total outlet sales of $11.4 billion in 1994, according to Value Retail News. In 1990, there were just 183 centers and sales of $6.3 billion. What makes a huge shopping mall in a rural area so appealing to consumers? It isn’t just the promise of great deals. In fact, there are three general rules for the successful development of outlet centers. First, successful outlet centers are located at least 18 to 20 miles away from the manufacturer’s major wholesale accounts. This rule keeps ordinary shopping malls happy. It’s one reason why large outlet centers exist at vacation spots like Freeport, M
