• Los Angeles Times, Monday, April 13, 2009 11 AM

High-end retailers such as Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue and Nordstrom are creating an aura of prestige at new outlet stores and, in return, the outlet category is gaining cachet among shoppers looking for bargains in the recession, Sandra M. Jones reports.

Saks, for example, is rolling out new prototype outlet stores under the Off 5th banner at the rate of three to five a year. The stores are clean, bright and uncluttered, with fixtures on casters that allow for quick and inexpensive makeovers as merchandise changes. Nordstrom is expanding its outlet stores at almost the same pace as its full-line stores and through 2012 it plans to 28 Nordstrom Rack stores, including 10 this year.

Many high-end brands also have been expanding their presence at outlet stores, including Kate Spade, Lucky Brand Jeans, Juicy Couture and True Religion. Originally set up as a way to clear out excess inventory at roughly a 30% markdown, the outlet stores today operate more like a discount retailer.

Read the whole story at Los Angeles Times »