The Super Centers

As board chairman of Allied Stores Corp., the world's biggest department-store chain (72 stores in 24 states), B. Earl Puckett logs 100,000 miles a year in his private DC-3, uses much of the mileage to scout likely locations for super shopping centers. On the ground last week Puckett unfolded the latest results of his high flying: he plans to build a $238 million network of seven new centers (in addition to three already built), each dominated by an Allied outlet. Said Puckett: "The largest single expansion in the history of retailing."

The new centers, scheduled for opening by 1957, are designed to serve regions (i.e., customers within 40 minutes' driving time) rather than smaller suburban areas. The first to go into operation will be the $30 million Bergen Mall at Paramus, N.J., expected to be the biggest U.S. shopping center. Puckett estimates that there are 1,588,000 customers within the 40-minute radius.

To lure them in, the center will have parking for 8,600 cars, 100 air-conditioned stores, which Puckett estimates will gross $2,000,000 a week. Added attractions: an auditorium seating 500 (for auto shows, square dances, etc.), two six-storied office buildings (one for doctors and dentists), several restaurants, a "Kiddieland," an outdoor ice-skating rink, bowling alleys, a carillon.

The other six regional centers will be built at Peabody, Mass, (near Boston), Cincinnati, Minneapolis, Levittown, Pa., Houston, and somewhere on Long Island. Allied will finance a fourth of the centers (including Bergen Mall), expects that insurance companies and local realtors will furnish capital for the others. To help pay for its part in the huge venture, Allied last week asked the Securities & Exchange Commission's permission to issue some $16.5 million worth of common stock (300,000 shares).

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