As Retail Stores Close In Droves, Simon Property Group Goes Online To Drive Outlet Shopping

Amid a rash of U.S. retail store closures, Indianapolis-based Simon Property Group Inc. is testing an online shopping platform designed to drive consumer traffic to its outlet stores across the country. Shop Premium Outlets, scheduled to launch to the general public this spring, features a curated selection of nearly 2,000 brands and more than 300,000 products — some discounted as much as 65 percent off retail prices. Featured brands include Saks Off 5th, Karl Lagerfeld Paris, Aéropostale and Cole Haan, among more. Simon, a real estate investment trust, says it is in the early stages of testing the online shopping website with its VIP Shopper Club, which has approximately four million members nationwide. Read more at Indianapolis Star.