In retail parlance, stores are ranked into tiers based on sales and demographics. The Nordstrom Rack outlet at MOA was considered never quite good enough to stock the higher-end designers, but store managers kept asking, PLEADING, for a chance to prove that Twin Citians will buy Tory Burch, Prada, Armani, Michael Kors and Ralph Lauren Black Label at a discount.  

Let the trial run begin! A new shipment of women’s designer and men’s suits will be out today (Friday) at 9 a.m. The first ever women’s high-end designer event includes the designers above plus Joseph Abboud, Hugo Boss and Burberry–more than 1,000 units from a department store on the East coast. The Nordstrom Rack is the Nordstrom outlet on the third floor at Mall of America (952-854-3131).

The quality of the deals in outlet malls still invites a healthy dose of scepticism. I think outlet malls make a mistake when they let in retailers who are even outlets.  In Albertville, Old navy, Aeropostale, Icing by Claire’s and Totes Sunglass World, Trade Secret and Bath & Bodyworks are full-priced stores.

But I still think outlet malls, especially the Albertville Premium Outlets, offers good deals. Holiday weekends are an especially good time for value. Most stores offer additional discounts, but for even better deals, join the VIP Club online (no cost) and get additional savings.

Save 50 percent on selected styles of Calvin Klein jeans as well as the regular discount savings at the outlet. To save an additional 20 percent off sale and clearance prices, try this coupon link.

The local Calvin Klein outlet is in Albertville Premium Outlets mall. Â

Many free-standing outlet stores are “hidden” because a retailer doesn’t want to drive too many customers to its lower profit margin store. Case in point: Talbots. The outlet store has been in Burnsville ( Burnsville Marketplace, 13947 Aldrich Av., 952-707-1240) for more than a decade but many TC shoppers haven’t heard of it. Today is an excellent time to introduce yourself to it. Many summer classics for women and children already reduced up to 70 percent receive an additional 75 percent discount today through Sunday. For example, a $50 item at 70 percent off was $15 but after an additional 75 percent blowout, it’s $3.75. That’s better than a garage sale.

 What other free-standing outlets are good? The ShopNBC outlet just reopened(6740 Shady Oak Rd., Eden Prairie, 952-943-6780, closed Mondays) but I haven’t been to it yet. The Pawn America outlet (5600 Excelsior Blvd., St. Louis Park, 952-926-1379) sounds better than it is. I was there a couple of weeks ago. The place has a large selection of guitars, but the DVD pricing was no lower than at typical Pawn America stores. What’s your favorite outlet store  that’s not part of an outlet mall?  Â

The New Arrival sale is in progress at Nordstrom Rack (Mall of America, 952-854-3131) , the outlet for Nordstrom. It’s a good time to shop for back-to-school jeans for fans of True Religion, Lucky, Rock & Republic and Joe’s for women and men.

 Trying not to judge, but I can’t imagine paying full-price for jeans exceeding $100 a pair. The Rack will shave off at least 25 percent or more from MSRP. At what point do young adults start saying, “Fuggetaboutit, Target or Kohl’s is good enough?”  I’m already there, but I’d still pick up a pair of TR’s for $50 on a good sale.  Â