BY MICHAEL BLANDING. Why do outlet stores exist? The answer may seem obvious to most shoppers—they are places where companies get rid of factory seconds or outdated merchandise at fire-sale prices.

Banana Republic outlet stores don't sell any product from its retail stores. "At Banana Republic Factory Stores we offer quality apparel and accessories at a great price," Banana Republic wrote in ...

Outlet stores are “important to customers,” said Damien Harmon, Best Buy’s executive vice president of omnichannel, in an interview. “When you don’t have a solution like that ...