The Outlet Collection at Riverwalk

2016 Fact Sheet 

WHY SHOP AT THE RIVERWALK?

• The Outlet Collection at Riverwalk offers a great experience for everyone from locals to tourists.
• Our great mix of stores makes Riverwalk the perfect place to indulge in fashion.
  • Major national brands include Neiman Marcus Last Call Studio, Tommy Bahama Outlet, Forever 21, Coach Outlet, The PUMA Outlet Store, GUESS Factory Store and Kenneth Cole Outlet.
• We're in walking distance from the Ernest M. Morial Convention Center, Warehouse District, French Quarter and CBD, making it a convenient stop for locals and tourists alike.
• The Outlet Collection at Riverwalk celebrates a successful, discounted parking validation program, with customers touting the convenience and availability of parking spots.
• The Outlet Collection at Riverwalk is dedicated to serving the people of New Orleans. In addition to the latest dining and shopping offerings, included several first-to-market brands, the center also offers an array of entertainment options to benefit visitors.
  • Examples include:
    • Lundi Gras on the Mississippi - The annual Lundi Gras celebration, when Riverwalk welcomes the official arrival of Rex, King of Carnival, to the Mardi Gras festivities at Spanish Plaza, is a free event featuring live music, fireworks and an array of local food vendors.
    • French Quarter Festival - Beginning in 2015, The Howard Hughes Corporation and The Outlet Collection at Riverwalk launched a new partnership with the French Quarter Festival to add a new stage at Riverwalk's Spanish Plaza, allowing the annual event to grow even more and expand the musical lineup with three days of programming across the traditional French Quarter border of Canal Street.
    • Holiday Season - The Outlet Collection at Riverwalk is the gateway to experiencing the authentic local traditions and exciting events that make the Crescent City spectacular, from Christmas tree and grand Chanukah Menorah lightings to holiday performances and free riverfront movie screenings.

THE FUTURE OF THE OUTLET COLLECTION AT RIVERWALK

• Bringing in first-to-market retailers is an important component of how centers can thrive and continue to be relevant in the local economy.
  • Upcoming openings:
    • Le Creuset, July 2016
    • Nordstrom Rack, October 2016

• The Outlet Collection at Riverwalk has been extremely successful since opening in 2014, and will continue to help secure the city's growing reputation as a fashion destination that is as vibrant and exciting as the City of New Orleans.

TRANSFORMATION & IMPACT

• With 30 percent less retail per capita than the national average, New Orleans was significantly under-retailed prior to the opening of The Outlet Collection at Riverwalk.
• The Outlet Collection at Riverwalk opened Memorial Day Weekend 2014 as the nation's first outlet center in a downtown setting and as the first location in the region for a number of tenants: Neiman Marcus Last Call Studio, Coach Men's Outlet and Tommy Bahama Outlet.
• Repositioning of the former Riverwalk Marketplace included a complete redevelopment and a significant expansion of approximately 50,000 square feet to the upper level, bringing the total to 250,000 square feet of much-needed retail space, showcasing over 75 popular national brands.
• The downtown outlet center welcomed more than 2 million shoppers within the first six months, and more than 8 million shoppers have visited to-date.
• The Outlet Collection at Riverwalk's transformation is helping secure the city's growing reputation as a fashion destination that is as vibrant and exciting as the City of New Orleans.
  • The retail economy is up throughout the city, and The Riverwalk's transformation and revitalization along the riverfront is contributing to that success.
  • In 2014, after the grand reopening, New Orleans experienced an increase of $1.5 billion in retail sales compared to 2010 (an increase of 30.4%).
• The center is currently 100% leased, representing more than 75 premier merchants throughout the center.
• The Outlet Collection at Riverwalk has created more than 1,000 jobs for the local community.
• Popular among locals and tourists alike, 58% of shoppers at The Outlet Collection at Riverwalk live in the New Orleans area, and 84% of visitors reside in the U.S., many within a short drive or plane ride.
• "The development symbolizes the attractiveness of New Orleans to investors and national brands while underscoring the growth of our economy through increased sales tax revenue and new jobs and opportunities for the people of New Orleans. Riverwalk has anchored this important corridor, and we will continue a place-based strategy that turbo charges the riverfront." - New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu

HISTORY

• Origin
  • The Riverwalk was originally part of the 1984 World's Fair and was later redeveloped into a festival marketplace
  • Opened as Riverwalk Marketplace in 1986, catering to locals and visitors with its Mississippi River views and location at the foot of Canal Street.
• 1990s
  • The concept had run its course, and center leadership learned that bringing in new-to-market, larger scale retailers would help improve traffic and sales.
  • Brought in the region's first Abercrombie and Fitch, Structure, Limited, Sharper Image - many of the most popular stores of that time.
• Hurricane Katrina - 2005
  • When Katrina hit, Riverwalk was doing very well - 99% leased
  • The Riverwalk suffered virtually no damage from the storm, other than minor roof damage, and reopened within 6 months.
    • Many national retailers left the market, and the mall went about 70% dark until 2008.

• Market Shift - 2008-2011
  • Frank Quinn joined The Riverwalk as Specialty Leasing Manager in 2008; was later appointed General Manager in 2011.
  • Frank traveled throughout the Gulf Coast searching for mom and pop businesses to move in to Riverwalk.
  • Local and regional retailers continued to refill the mall - 95% occupied again.
  • Despite a high level of visitation from tourists given its location adjacent to the Convention Center and the French Quarter, local shoppers were drastically decreased.
  • After the spin-off from General Growth Properties, The Howard Hughes Corporation saw the opportunity to spearhead a transformative $80 million redevelopment of the iconic downtown property, restoring Riverwalk as a regional shopping destination for tourists and locals alike.

CONTACT
500 Port of New Orleans Place
New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 522-1555
www.riverwalkneworleans.com  

General Manager: Frank Quinn
Marketing Manager: Laura Gurievsky

Media Contact:
Jess Brown
DEVENEY
jbrown@deveney.com
(504) 949-3999, ext. 223