May 20 2014 | New Orleans

If you love shopping in New Orleans, then you’re going to love this: The Outlet Collection at Riverwalk is premiering just in time for Memorial Day weekend. 

This string of popular brand name outlet stores has been highly anticipated, and a great addition to the city. The Big Easy has long been under-served in the retail sector, with approximately 30 percent less square feet of retail per capita than the national average.  Now visitors will have easy access to even more great shopping, especially since the outlet stores will be located right on the Riverwalk adjacent to the French Quarter.

Many well-known national outlet retailers and local favorites have bought space in the outlet mall, according to a recent press release. Anchor tenants include Coach Factory Store, Coach Men’s Factory Store, Forever 21 and Last Call Studio by Neiman Marcus.  Other favorites include Café du Monde, Chico’s Outlet, Clarks/Bostonian Outlet, Gap Outlet, Guess Factory Store, Hartstrings Childrenswear, It’Sugar, Kay Jewelers, Kenneth Cole Company Store, LOFT Outlet, Lucky Brand, Puma, Raising Cane’s, Red Mango, Sunglass Hut Outlet, and dozens more. The full list of tenants can be viewed at www.RiverwalkNewOrleans.com.

Oh and hey, sign up for the Rewards Club and you’ll automatically be entered in The Outlet Collection at Riverwalk's $10,000 ‘Savor the Savings' Grand Opening Sweepstakes - a collection of gift cards and prizes. Talk about a shopping spree.

If you’re going to be in New Orleans Thursday morning, then we suggest you stop by The Outlet Collection at Riverwalk for the grand opening. There will be a model parade around Spanish Plaza Fountain as guests arrive, along with a DJ and high school band performances. Special guest speakers include Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne, Councilmembers Nadine Ramsey and Latoya Cantrell, NOTMC President and CEO Mark Romig and Mayor Landrieu’s Advisor for Workforce Development Aimee Quirk.