Claudine Leith
Corp. Communications Specialist
Public Relations, Nike
Tel: 503-671-3028

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Nike Factory Store Prepares To Open At Belz Factory Outlet World - Lakeland

New Store to Anchor the Mall’s Annex

Lakeland, TN (April 27, 1999) -- Designer names continue to be a growing attraction at Belz Factory Outlet World - Lakeland as it prepares for the opening of the Nike Factory Store which recently signed a 13,000-square-foot lease at the mall’s annex. The new Nike store is scheduled to open in June 1999.

The Nike Factory Store will be a welcome addition to the already impressive retail mix at the Lakeland mall annex which includes such recognizable names as Footlocker, Danskin, Big Dogs Sportswear and Samsonite," says Andrew J. Groveman, President of the Factory Outlet Division of Belz Enterprises.

"There is definitely a market in this area for quality merchandise of this type," notes Mr. Groveman. "The Nike Factory Store will serve as the anchor tenant at the mall’s annex and help to ensure that Belz Factory Outlet World-Lakeland continues to be one of the most consistent tourist attractions in the Lakeland and nearby Memphis areas."

The new Nike Factory Store will offer authentic Nike apparel, footwear and accessories at factory store prices. The Lakeland store will also represent one of the largest Nike stores nationally. Headquartered in Beaverton, Oregon, Nike is no stranger to the Memphis area, notes Kevin Bailey, Director of Operations for Nike Factory Stores, where, he points out, Nike already has a close to two million-square-foot warehouse space.

"It is only natural that we would open a store in Lakeland not only because we already have a strong employee base there but because the Belz Factory Outlet Mall - Lakeland has traditionally done a strong business and offers us an excellent opportunity to expand our presence in that market," confirms Mr. Bailey.

In fact, Belz Factory Outlet World in Lakeland attracted 2,629,350 shoppers last year, a steady increase of 3.5% over 1997 figures. The center, generally recognized as the first of its kind in the United States, opened its door to shoppers in 1979 and has been a steady performer ever since, notes Mr. Groveman.

Belz Factory Outlet World - Lakeland is open Monday - Saturday, 10:00 a.m. - 9 p.m. and Sunday, 1 p.m. - 6 p.m.

With headquarters in Memphis, Belz Enterprises is a multi-faceted real estate company with more than 25 million square feet of developed property including over 40 shopping complexes, ranging from community shopping centers to regional malls.

In addition to Lakeland, Belz owns and/or manages Factory Outlet Worlds in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., Las Vegas and Orlando, Fla. where the company also operates the Belz Designer Outlet Centre. Belz also owns and operates the 100 Oaks Mall in Nashville, Tenn. Belz is currently developing two factory outlet malls in Puerto Rico and St. Augustine, Fla. One of Belz’s newest developments is "Festival Bay at International Drive", a 1.1 million-square-foot lifestyle retail complex in Orlando. The company has also developed and owns a group of premier hotels, including the flagship Peabody Hotels in Memphis and Orlando.  

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