Finding name-brand clothes and accessories at discounted prices is usually a job for outlet malls, where apparel chains sell parts of their offerings lower than their retail stores.
Three chains with stores at Outlets at Vicksburg — Bon Worth, Carter’s and Coach —scored well on that and in other areas in the December issue of Consumer Reports. Overall, 67 percent of readers who visited outlet malls nationwide and came away happy rated them among 10 top choices for value, quality, selection and help.
“It has name brand things at low prices,” said Petronica Nelson, of Jackson, who has shopped the Coach store in Pearl and Vicksburg for purses, wallets, shoes and more. “They really make you feel like you’re saving money.”
L.L. Bean, Haggar, OshKosh B’gosh, Jockey, Bose, Vitamin World and Bath & Body Works round out other top choices among 53 of the nation’s biggest outlet chains surveyed by 15,789 readers. Those 10 stores were where customers said they were completely satisfied or very satisfied. The satisfaction percentage was up from 60 percent in 2010, the last time the magazine did an outlet survey.
Donna Hollowell, manager of Bon Worth at the Vicksburg outlet center, said keeping loyal customers at its women’s clothing outlet happy starts with its employees.
“I have good employees who try to give good customer service and have a good selection of clothes,” Hollowell said.
Readers also spoke on whether the deals they found were true markdowns. Overall, 64 percent of store visits yielded a great value, with 34 percent of stores prices much lower than sale prices at regular stores, according to the magazine. Bon Worth was also singled out superior value in the nationwide survey, along with L.L. Bean, Haggar, OshKosh B’gosh and Izod.