On The Go Chicago

Can someone please explain to be the concept behind outlets these days?

I rarely rant, but today is going to be an exception.  I am totally baffled by the retail industries use of the word “outlet.”  Years ago an outlet meant outlet.  You could find last season’s merchandise, overstock and some slightly damaged (color not perfect, missing button, scratched) merchandise at REAL discounts.  It seems like most outlets these days are not really outlets at all.  Some companies (Gap, J.Crew, Etc.) actually make an entire line of clothes just for their MANY outlet stores.

I recently visited the Chicago Premium Outlets in Aurora.  I have to say, I was not impressed.  At the majority of the stores I visited, the prices were no better than what you would find in a department store.  The Sketcher’s Outlet was offering toddler Sketcher’s for the EXACT same price as Nordstrom.  How can you call yourself an outlet, and have the same prices as other stores or even your mall stores?  I did find a few deals after a lot of digging and searching including a pair of Converse Chuck Taylor sneakers for $9.95, but all and all the deals were few and far between and definitely not worth the drive.

Yesterday I tried out the Sketcher’s Outlet on North Avenue (Corner of North and Cicero).  Maybe my expectations are too high, but I was again very disappointed.  Their selection of toddler shoes was quite small, and the prices were, again, the EXACT same as Nordstrom’s prices.  In all fairness, they were having a buy one get one half off sale, but because of their tiny selection I could not find two pairs of shoes I really wanted to buy.

When it comes to finding good deals on name brand toddler sneakers, I would still recommend Nordstrom Rack and the Nordstrom’s sale section of their website.  Read my review on Nordstrom’s from a few months ago, Check out Nordstrom Rack for amazing deals on kids clothes and shoes!

I am always looking for a deal, so let me know if you have any cool finds for toddler shoes.