Forum Shops' New Wing Opens

LAS VEGAS-Simon Property Group opened its 175,000-sf expansion of The Forum Shops at Caesars, one of the most successful malls in the country with sales per sf of $1,432. The $139 million project, which adds 57 retailers, brings the center to 675,000 sf.

The expansion has given the mall, in the Caesars Palace casino and hotel, an entrance on the city’s famous Strip, and some of the new retailers have storefronts on the sidewalk. About 50,000 people walk through the mall everyday, and the size increase and new, high-profile entrance could push that number up by 10% says Maureen Crampton, the mall’s director of marketing. Sales per sf could also rise, she says. “We feel we’re going to hold steady at $1,400 if not exceed it,” Crampton says.

New retailers in the high-fashion center include Harry Winston, Kate Spade and Tommy Bahama. Apparel company Juicy Couture is opening its first retail store in the center, Crampton says. The new retailers join a lineup made up of Burberry, Gucci, Virgin Megastore and others.