The Only Outlet Shopping Center in Los Angeles Welcomes  Visitors from China with Acceptance of China Union Pay Card,  Currency Exchange, Translators, exclusive VIP Lounge and Shuttle Service

LOS ANGELES, CA—May 30, 2013—Citadel Outlets, "LA's Choice for Outlet Shopping" is taking bold steps to appeal to Los Angeles visitors from China.  The successful 700,000 square foot mixed-use property with 120-stores featuring name-brand tenants has moved aggressively in the International tourism arena to insure the Center is poised for the number one inbound market to Los Angeles. NIKE, GUESS, DKNY, True Religion, Michael Kors, COACH, H&M, Levi's and Vince Camuto are among the most popular stores with Los Angeles visitors from China.  Citadel Outlet stores offer prices which are 30% to 70% less than retail stores.

Recently, the key initiative at Citadel Outlets has been the center-wide acceptance of China Union Pay (CUP), the bank card carried by the majority of Chinese traveling to the United States.  Launched in 2002, China Union Pay cards have reached a total of 3.3 billion in circulation.

Citadel Outlets has reached its target goal of 100% acceptance of China Union Pay cards at all stores by summer of 2013.  "Accepting Union Pay cards at every retailer saves our Chinese visitor money when they are allowed to use their card as a debit card," says Cynthia Schmitt, Director of International Tourism for Citadel Outlets, "and it is the most important welcome gesture we can provide to show them we want their business."  Partnering with China Union Pay, Citadel Outlets extend promotional offers to bank customers for even greater savings and other special offers.

Citadel Outlets also offers currency exchange, translation services by identifying which stores have foreign language retailers, and an exclusive VIP Lounge for high-end shoppers who want to spend a pampered afternoon, or those who hope to  dedicate their last few hours in Los Angeles packing up bargains, with transportation offered by many key local Chinese Tour Operators, and Citadel's new on-call transportation from hotels largely booked by Chinese visitors, luggage storage, concierge service and Wi-Fi service to check flight status,  and a new transportation package for LAX transfers.

With the inbound growth numbers of Chinese tourists to Los Angeles, Citadel Outlets is poised to garner a significant share of the Chinese visitor market.  Los Angeles experienced approximately 500,000 Chinese visitors arriving into Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) last year, a 35% increase from the prior year. Chinese visitor arrivals are forecasted to grow by nearly 200% over the next five years, eclipsing arrivals from both France and Germany by 2016.

Chinese visitors are a prime customer target for many types of tourist attractions and services, but shopping is one of their top priorities.  The abundant availability of designer labeled luxury goods, at substantially lower prices than displayed in the tony stores in America's big city designer shops, or in major cities in China, is a motivator for Chinese visitors.  Citadel Outlet's location, just minutes from down Los Angeles on I-5 makes it an easy destination to reach, and the Center offers free shuttle service from hotels in Los Angeles and Anaheim in Orange County, making an afternoon of shopping convenient for theme park visitors. The Center's awe-inspiring, historical façade modeled after the 7th century BC Assyrian Palace of King Sargon II is a photo opportunity in itself.  "Our stunning designer label shops, fun and functional stores, special services,  landscaping, restaurants, and open-air California feeling represent America at its best to the Chinese shopper, who hopes to bring home happiness to their family," says Schmitt.

 "My family loves when I visit Los Angeles for some work and then take some time for shopping," says Sharon Wu, a business traveler from Beijing, China.  "With the help of the Citadel people I choose the correct sizes for my family and bring back gifts they see on American media.  And I feel good that I was able to secure a great price for such well-known brands."

MORE ABOUT CITADEL OUTLETS

Citadel Outlets is owned and operated by Craig Reality Group, a shopping center development and management firm founded by Steven L. Craig.  His vision of a world-class shopping environment at Citadel Outlets and retail outlets in six states includes an intense focus on the international market.   The company's destination centers are present at major international tourism, travel and trade shows throughout the world to support to growing inbound tourism numbers into Los Angeles.  Craig Realty Group operates and manages 4.3 million square feet of retail development, and Citadel Outlets is planning to unveil its fourth phase of shopping in October, 2013.

HOW TO GET THERE

In Los Angeles, Citadel Outlets is located on Interstate 5 at the Atlantic Boulevard North exit, ten minutes from downtown Los Angeles and easy reach from the Greater Los Angeles area and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX.)  Downtown shuttle service from several Los Angeles hotels is complimentary and daily shuttle service from Anaheim is available four times a day, seven days a week.  For complete details, go to www.citadeloutlets.com.

PRESS CONTACTS

Susan Wilson, Publicist, 602-966-4242, susanwilson129@gmail.com 

Cynthia Schmitt, Director, International Tourism & Sales, 323-888-1724, Cynthia@CitadelOutlets.com