By Gerardo R. Partido
Variety News Staff

THE Guam Premier Outlets has been sold to the Hawaii-based The Mills Group for an undisclosed amount.
The Mills Group is a diversified real estate development and investment company headquartered in Honolulu. Its retail property portfolio also includes the Tumon Sands Plaza on Guam, and The Shops at Wailea and The Waikiki Galleria in Hawaii.
Monte Mesa, who will stay on as general manager of Guam Premier Outlets, said the transaction is great for Guam’s economy since it indicates strong investor confidence in the island.
“This will be better for both the local population and our tourists because The Mills Group can attract more U.S. and international retailers to invest in Guam. The Mills Group itself has its own alliances with famous retailers and they could be attracted to Guam,” Mesa told Variety.
With the sale to The Miller Group, Mesa said the public can also expect “more synergy” between GPO and Tumon Sands Plaza.
Russell Robinson, former president of GPO, has been named a partner of The Mills Group with overall responsibility for GPO and Tumon Sands Plaza. Robinson will also focus on future company investments on Guam.
Masato Yahata, general manager of Tumon Sands Plaza, will remain in his current position.
According to Ned Dewey, CEO and managing partner of The Mills Group, the GPO acquisition is seen as a strategic move to strengthen The Mills Group’s retail operations on Guam.
“We are impressed with the management team at GPO and the dynamic retail environment they have created. We are looking forward to working with Russ Robinson to further expand our Guam investment portfolio,” Dewey said.
GPO, also known as the Guam Shopping Center, is located in the heart of Tamuning and is only five minutes away from the beautiful beaches of Tumon Bay.
GPO is the only outlet mall currently on Guam, offering high quality brand name items at 20 to 70 percent off of the original price.