Australia’s largest outlet center is about to get even bigger as Harbour Town Gold Coast announces a 3,500 square meter expansion.

The $20 million project will bring the center a new mall that features a new selection of premium outlet fashion brands, along with major upgrades to the existing center.

Harbour Town was already in the midst of developing a new 400-space car park, which is due to open before Christmas. Now work is underway on the new retail precinct, which should be completed by mid-2016. That phase will bring additional updates to the north end of the center. A third phase is also planned to deliver a redesigned dining precinct.

Center manager Gary Webb commented, “As the pioneers of Australian outlet shopping, we are thrilled to cement our leadership position even further by expanding Harbour Town Gold Coast and enhancing the consumer experience even more with a range of new stores.”

“The expansion is testament to the strength and popularity of outlet shopping in both local and international consumer markets, with savvy shoppers driving the high demand for affordably priced, quality products by respected Australian and international brands.”

Up to 25 new retailers will be joining the center’s portfolio, which includes Australia’s first Victoria’s Secret Outlet Store.

What began as a simple Father’s Day competition turned into something that ignited shoppers’ imaginations—and inspired conversations about sustainability in the doing.

New Zealand’s LynnMall brought in a crushed car to serve as the centerpiece for the competition. The car was crushed and unrecognizable, and stripped of all its fluids, glass and engine components. Debadged too, presumably. Shoppers were invited to take a close look and guess the original make and model.

The challenge inspired an impressive 11,000 entries. LynnMall marketing manager Karla Robertson says the crushed car was a real draw for shoppers. “The crushed car competition generated four times more entries than any other contest the centre has held. True to form, central-west Aucklanders put the pedal to the metal and flocked to the unique in-centre display to test their car knowledge.”

The car was taken apart by Zebra, a company that collects and recycles vehicles that can’t remain on the road. Zebra put the vehicle through a seven-step recycling program to remove everything that can still be used before delivering it to LynnMall in its new form.

At the end of the competition, one lucky winner was chosen from those who managed to guess the car’s make and model correctly. Denis Stock, a former magician, is off to the Gold Coast Castrol 600 in October thanks to the center.

Stock guessed correctly: the crushed car was once a Honda Fit, one that carried its drivers for 160,000 kilometers before reaching the end of the road.

Queen’s Quay Terminal is holding its annual Haute Dog event this weekend, and it’s sure to be a great day for pets and their families alike. For two days, the waterfront center will be offering free activities that any animal lover will enjoy.

“We are expecting the pawparazzi to descend upon Queen’s Quay Terminal for the return of Haute Dog,” said Kathi Bonner, Senior Property Manager, Queen’s Quay Terminal. “We encourage dog owners to dress up their best friend and enter them to take part in the daily fashion shows.”

Pet owners can register their pups on the center’s Facebook page to take part, or sign them up on-site. Photos will be instantly emailed and also shared on Facebook.

The fashion show might be the highlight, but there’s lots of other fun to be had. Queen’s Quay Terminal is bringing in a local veterinarian, Dr. Slav Debski, to answer shoppers’ questions about their pets’ health and wellness. PawsWay presents a daily dog show. And the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides will raise awareness with the help of one particularly special pup.

Nettle is a two-year-old Yellow Labrador who is also a Purina Animal Hall of Fame Inductee. She helps take care of Brooke and Jade, twin 12-year-old girls who suffer from Type 1 Diabetes and Celiac disease.

Neither is the sort of disease one thinks of when considering the many roles of guide dogs, but Nettle has been a huge help for their family. She alerts the girls’ parents when they’re suffering from diabetic lows and has also been trained to fetch their sugar kits as needed to prevent life-threatening situations.

Admirable work for a dog, and just the sort of assistance Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides at Haute Dog will spend this weekend raising awareness for.

LAS VEGAS, NV – AUGUST 15: Grammy-Nominated Sony Music Recording Artist, Jordin Sparks hosts public autograph signing at Forever 21 at Fashion Show Las Vegas on August 15, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Isaac Brekken/Getty Images for Fashion Show Las Vegas)

GGP was thrilled to host Sparks as she visited several centers to meet with her fans, including Glendale Galleria, Woodbridge Center and Water Tower Place. Fans took selfies, met their idol and purchased download cards of the album at each of her stops.

“Our malls are the shopping, dining and entertainment hubs in their communities. We are continuously looking for opportunities to entertain and engage our guests,” said Scott Morey, EVP, GGP. “Through GGP’s massive direct-to-consumer reach, social media channels and customer database, the Jordin Sparks Right Here Right Now launch campaign will amplify the mall shopping experience with a fun, unique and engaging event.”

Fashion Show Mall hosted a particularly special appearance, where Sparks performed songs from Right Here Right Now. She also played some of the biggest hits from her two previous albums, including “No Air” and “One Step at a Time.” The performance was live-streamed online and broadcast to GGP malls the following afternoon.

One lucky fan will have an even better time after they’re named winner of the GGP Ultimate Day in L.A. sweepstakes. They and a guest will be flown into the city and put up in a hotel for three days, then taken to Glendale Galleria for a day of pampering to get them ready for an outing with Sparks herself.

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