US-based mall developer Simon Premium Outlets has a development pipeline of US$2.5 billion in projects.

And Asia is emerging as a key platform in its international growth which has to date focused on Europe.

Simon has 84 Premium Outlets operating – upscale outlet centres packed with designer brands and supporting eateries and facilities encouraging family destination bargain shopping. Typically, they are located far from downtown shopping hubs to reduce the impact on brands’ mainline stores.

Two of the new projects Simon has announced for Asia are a mall in Siheung, Korea, and another in the casino and entertainment resort Genting Highlands, located on a mountain about an hour’s drive from Kuala Lumpur, in Malaysia.

Recently completed expansions include Toki Premium Outlets in Japan and Paju Premium Outlets in Korea. Further expansion is underway at Yeoju Premium Outlets in Korea and Shisui Premium Outlets Japan.

Simon says its international outlets are trading above tenant retailers’ expectations, encouraging the company to continue to search for sites in cities with potential.

“Simon continues to reinvest in its existing outlet assets to meet the strong demand from retailers and shoppers,” the company said in a statement.

While the majority of its malls are in the US, Simon’s global network also includes Puerto Rico, Canada, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico and South Korea.

Perhaps its best known property globally is the giant Woodbury Common located in New Jersey, which does not have a state sales tax, attracting thousands of New Yorkers every week.