"[O]utlet malls are for suckers."
Among the reasons why:
* Outlets are plopped down in the middle of nowhere intentionally. Sure, the savings on real-estate and development costs have something to do with this. The other key driver: Psychologically, forcing people to invest time, energy and effort getting to the far-flung outposts makes them spend more money.
* Most outlet malls are devoid of amenities like restaurants, entertainment and even benches; this also is by design. More time spent eating, enjoying a show or resting means less time spent buying big-ticket items.
* Merchandise offered at brand-name outlets isn't just surplus or out-of-season inventory. For example, Shell says 80 percent of the handbags you'll find at Coach outlets are lower-rate pieces produced specifically for those stores. Chances are that bag you see at the outlet is priced 50 percent less than the one you saw at Macy's because it's essentially a company-approved "knock-off."
Among the reasons why:
* Outlets are plopped down in the middle of nowhere intentionally. Sure, the savings on real-estate and development costs have something to do with this. The other key driver: Psychologically, forcing people to invest time, energy and effort getting to the far-flung outposts makes them spend more money.
* Most outlet malls are devoid of amenities like restaurants, entertainment and even benches; this also is by design. More time spent eating, enjoying a show or resting means less time spent buying big-ticket items.
* Merchandise offered at brand-name outlets isn't just surplus or out-of-season inventory. For example, Shell says 80 percent of the handbags you'll find at Coach outlets are lower-rate pieces produced specifically for those stores. Chances are that bag you see at the outlet is priced 50 percent less than the one you saw at Macy's because it's essentially a company-approved "knock-off."
