Brand Depot owner Canberra Airport

Brand Depot owner Canberra Airport will mount a fresh legal challenge next month against Direct Factory Outlet through the ACT Administrative Appeals Tribunal.

As thousands of shoppers attended DFO's grand opening in Fyshwick yesterday lawyers were revisiting the airport's arguments that DFO exceeds its retailing limit.

Retrospective legislation introduced by former ACT Planning Minister Simon Corbell to prevent commercial competitors from challenging planning approvals through the AAT blocked the airport's previous attempt to stop DFO's opening.

But airport managing director Stephen Byron said yesterday DFO's opening presented the opportunity to bring the legal fight to a head.

''The planning law says you cannot have more than 3000sqm of retail shops on the site. That is the issue we think is illegal and we want the court to determine that through the AAT.''
DFO declined to comment on the legal row. Mr Byron said DFO would be required to adhere to the Territory Plan and confine its trading to bulky goods.
''Thus, the retail shops that are in breach of the 3000sqm limit would be required to be replaced by DFO with complying bulky goods users.''

DFO's national property manager Jean Smith estimated 20,000 customers attended yesterday, well up from the expected 15,000 and a bigger crowd was expected today.
A handful of customers at Brand Depot were outnumbered by the shops.
Mr Byron said if the airport lost its challenge in the AAT and in the Supreme Court, which is due to hear the case early next year, Brand Depot would not close.

''The truth is you would only close Brand Depot if it wasn't trading well and if tenants weren't there.

''We have tenants and strong tenant interest. The question of discounting the rent is a question for another year. We're in good shape.''

DFO retailers had no trouble attracting customers yesterday but struggled with a lack of staff, calling in managers from sister stores in Canberra and Melbourne.
Chris Nolan owns two fashion stores in the new DFO and two each in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne. He will open two in Cairns's new DFO in November.

He was approached by rival outlets every week to open in other outlets and was twice approached by Canberra's Brand Depot.

''They were prepared to offer whatever it took to get me in. It was too late, I was already committed to DFO.''

He is looking for eight staff in Canberra.

Mr Nolan buys from manufacturers in China and excess stock from suppliers in Australia. His stock is six weeks older than what's offered in mainstream stores, but nearly 50 per cent cheaper.

The first customer through the doors, Boka Jovic of Queanbeyan, said she was looking for a job for her daughter, and for bargains.

A crowd gathered at 8.30am and swept through the main doors at 9.50am, while cars continued queuing along the entrance routes well into the morning.

Mr Byron said Brand Depot would suffer for six weeks, but was confident in knowing its market.
''Our customer base is mums, it's people doing it tough in Gungahlin and Tuggeranong.
''People who shop at DFO are the people who shop at the Canberra Centre and buy good brands and for a while they will get some of that cheaper.''

Gucci Outlet Store at Prime Outlets

SAN MARCOS, Texas, Prime Outlets, a portfolio of 21 centers located throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico owned and operated by leading outlet shopping center developer Prime Retail, announced today the opening of a new Gucci Outlet Store at Prime Outlets - San Marcos. The 6,172square foot location slated to open Wednesday, September 17 is the iconic fashion designer's only outlet store located between New York and California, and just its fourth in the world."Prime Outlets - San Marcos is known throughout the region for its unique collection of luxury designer outlets," said Senior Vice President of Marketing Karen E. Fluharty. "We are thrilled Gucci has chosen Prime Outlets as the home for its newest outlet store.

The Gucci Outlet will surely be a draw for outlet shoppers from Texas, Mexico and beyond."The Gucci Outlet store will offer shoppers 30 to 50 percent off merchandise including clothing, footwear, handbags and accessories. It joins stellar designer and brand-names such as Giorgio Armani General Store, Catherine Malandrino, Michael Kors, Salvatore Ferragamo Company Store, Furlaand Zegna Outlet at the premier shopping destination which serves the Austin and San Antonio markets along with the region's extensive tourist market. About Gucci Founded in Florence in 1921, Gucci is one of the world's leading luxury brands. Gucci designs, manufactures and distributes high-quality and highly desirable products such as leather goods (handbags, small leather goods, and luggage), shoes, ready-to-wear, silks, timepieces and fine jewelry. Eyewear and fragrances are manufactured and distributed under license by global industry leaders in these two sectors.

Gucci's core values are uncompromised craftsmanship, outstanding quality and absolute made in Italy (with the only exception of watches, which are produced in Switzerland). According to a perfect balance between creativity and results, Gucci posted another record year in 2006, with revenues amounting to 2,101 million Euro (+16.8%, on top of a 18.4% growth in 2005) and a recurring operating income of 612 million Euro (+26.0%, for an incidence on revenues of 29.1%). Gucci products are sold exclusively through a highly selected network of directly-operated stores(which totalled 227 at June 2007), which represents more than 70% of Gucci total revenues. Other significant channels are franchisees; duty-free boutiques and large and small specialty stores mainly in Europe and North America.

E-commerce is also a complementary valuable channel. The Gucci selling experience in all these channels is exclusive, luxurious and highly desirable. Gucci is part of Gucci Group N.V., owned by PPR, a global player in Retail and Set Luxury Goods. Shares in PPR are traded on the Euro next Paris(#121485, PRTP.PA, PPFP).About Prime Outlets - San Marcos Prime Outlets - San Marcos is located off I-35 at Exit 200, between Austin and San Antonio in San Marcos, Texas. The 750,000-sq. ft. outlet center offers everyday savings of 25 to 65 percent off full retail prices andfeatures a growing collection of 130 brand name retailers including Neiman Marcus Last Call, Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH, Giorgio Armani General Store, Lacoste, Pottery Barn Outlet, Restoration Hardware, Crate & Barrel Outlet, kate spade, Michael Kors, Zegna Outlet, Salvatore Ferragamo Company Store, Juicy Couture, bebe, Polo Ralph Lauren Factory Store, Dooney & Bourke and COACH Factory.

About Prime Retail
Headquartered in Baltimore, Md., Prime Retail is the parent company of Prime Outlets and one of the largest and most successful owners of retailcenters in the U.S. Spanning more than eight million square feet throughout major United States markets and Puerto Rico, Prime Retail recently added top designer and brand name stores including Giorgio Armani General Store, Gucci, Michael Kors, Polo Ralph Lauren Factory Store, Salvatore Ferragamo Company Store, Zegna Outlet and many more to its portfolio. The company owns and operates 21 Prime Outlets in markets including Orlando, San Marcos, Texas, Williamsburg, Va., and Grove City, Pa. Adding nearly two million square feet over the next several years, Prime Retail is positioned to become the leading retail outlet company in the industry. For more information, please visit http://www.primeretail.com/.
SOURCE Prime Outlets - San Marcos