A retail outlet and Foxwoods Resort Casino, opened a shopping center costing $129 million. They have hopes to bring in younger gamblers, more visitors, and promote a destination for entertainment and not just gambling. Shoppers from all over New England showed for the opening event.
Foxwoods CEO and president, Felix Rappaport stated, Tanger Outlets 315 thousand square foot with eighty stores is to attract people that do not necessarily play at poker tables or slot machines. “There are lots of great customers who barely gamble. They come by for the spa, to play golf. We really want to focus on being a destination resort. It only makes sense as an industry that we become less gaming-centric,” says Rappaport.
CEO and president of Tangor Factory Outlets, Steven B. Tangor has also stated these outlet stores being an entertainment location. He has said, family members that do not gamble can do something they enjoy, while the ones that like gambling can do that. This gives everybody in the family an opportunity to enjoy themselves.
Some stores featured in the outlet mall include H&M that is 20 thousand square feet, Old Navy, Under Armour, Gap, Coach, Kay Jewelers, White House Black Market, Sketchers, Nike, Kate Spade New York, Talbots, Gymboree, along with many more. With these stores, hope is that shoppers in ages from twenties, and thirties that visit, will become casino customers that are loyal.
Ten years ago casinos started to add activities that are non-gambling. Fifty percent of business in Las Vegas, and Atlantic City at thirty percent consists of stores, shows, restaurants, golf and other attractions that are non-gambling. With these non-gambling activities, gamblers stay at casinos even after they are finished with betting. With no other activities, gamblers tend to leave after approximately three hours.
Manager of Kate Spade New York, Lisa Welsh states, “we expect to get a different crowd than at our other outlets.” They are expecting gamblers that are high rollers, and people wanting to come check deals at these stores.
People must enter through the casino, in order to get to these outlet stores.
