In March, Coach executives announced their agreement with Simon in a deal that will open or expand 30 Coach stores in its malls during the next two years. Under the terms of that agreement, new stores will start opening in Simon malls in July through June 2008.

New units will start opening in the General Growth centers during this holiday season until the holidays in 2008. In all, Coach is opening 30 US stores over its next fiscal year, which will start in June, in addition to the 25 it opened during its current fiscal calendar.

Among the General Growth malls that Coach is targeting for expansion are Beachwood (OH) Place; Kenwood Towne Centre, in Cincinnati; and Natick (MA) Mall. Coach management is looking to expand and open stores in both new and existing markets.

New York City-based Coach is one of the country's hottest retailers. During its latest reported quarter, which ended April 1, year-over-year same-store sales rose 21.1%. Net sales were $498 million, up 20%, and net income was $109 million on a 35% increase.

General Growth, based in Chicago, is the second-largest mall owner in the US, with about 200 centers across the country.