(EMAILWIRE.COM, December 09, 2002 ) Women's Wear Daily (WWD) ranked Bal Harbour Shops # 1 as the most productive shopping center in the U.S. in their annual survey, based on average sales per square foot. According to the productivity survey, Bal Harbour Shops generates more than three times the national average, with sales of $1,350 per square foot. Bal Harbour Shops is one of Greater Miami's most visited shopping attractions, with tourists regularly accounting for at least fifty percent of their customer mix. The Travel Industry Association of America cites shopping as the number one activity for visitors to the United States, as well as for domestic travelers.

Despite challenging times for the retail industry, WWD attributes the powerhouse revenues of the most successful malls to some shared characteristics: "They are popular tourism destinations, filled with high-end retailers who have a captive audience, and/or are located in a densely populated area." Sizing up retail's top performers, WWD lists The Forum Shops in Las Vegas as second, Ala Monana Center in Honolulu as third, The Americana in Manhasset, New York as fourth, and South Coast Plaza in California as fifth.

Given the proliferation of more than 45,000 malls nationwide and an up-tick in development of luxury retail centers in most major cities, it is extraordinary that three Miami-area shopping centers made the coveted top-15 list: with Bal Harbour Shops leading the way, Dadeland ranks tenth with $690 sales per square foot; the Aventura Mall ranks twelfth, with $680 sales per square foot. The average U.S. mall achieves sales of about $340 per square foot.

In 1965, Bal Harbour Shops' owner/developer Stanley Whitman created a shopping hall of fame, attracting the most famous names in fashion and generating record sales that would become the industry's benchmark for luxury retailing. With a 37-year track record of success, Bal Harbour Shops remains true to its heritage to please the most discerning customers from all over the world, helping Bal Harbour Village to become "Florida's most fashionable destination."

Bal Harbour Village is located in Greater Miami (equidistant from Miami International and Fort Lauderdale International Airports) at the northern tip of Miami Beach, and features two oceanfront resorts: the Sheraton Bal Harbour Beach Resort and the Sea View Hotel, across the street from world-renown Bal Harbour Shops.

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Produced for Bal Harbour Village

CONTACT:
Cheryl Stephenson / Bal Harbour Shops
- 305/866-1816
Jose Lima / Bal Harbour Village
- 305/866-4633, ext. 35

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Contact Information:
Bal Harbour Village
Joseph Nchor
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