Brand names are what consumers crave. In a country where status is important — or at least appearance of status — who among us hasn’t played the brand name game at some point?Well, there’s a whole new game that we want you to play — get brand name products for a fraction of the cost, and outlets and outlet malls are the way to do it! Check out the list of a few of our favorites from across the state.

In no particular order …

No. 1: Albertville Premium Outlets

6415 Labeaux Ave NE
Albertville, MN 55301
(763) 497-1911
www.premiumoutlets.com

Perhaps this is Minnesota’s biggest outlet mall with nearly 100 stores that include Guess, Adidas, Kenneth Cole, BCBG Max Azria, Calvin Klein and Coach.

No. 2: Preferred Outlets at Medford

6750 W Frontage Rd Ste 315
Medford, MN 55049
(507) 455-2042
www.outletbound.com

Are you in the neighborhood between the Twin Cities and Owatonna. If so, hit up the nearly 40 stores that make up the Medford outlet mall like Eddie Bauer, Gap Outlet, Levi’s, Liz Claiborne, and Wilson Leather Outlet.

No. 3: North Branch Outlet Mall

38500 Tanger Drive
North Branch, MN 55056
(651) 674-5886
www.northbranchoutlets.com

If you are heading up Interstate 35W towards Hinckley and Duluth you won’t miss the mall in North Branch. Get deals on clothes from The Gap, Nike and Old Navy and more! Plus they have three buildings that contain furniture outlet stores and an appliance outlet.

No. 4: Saks Off 5th

655 Nicollet Mall
Minneapolis, MN 55402
(612) 333-7200
off5th.com

Downtown shopping doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg. Sak’s 5th Avenue outlet — Off 5th — has all the styles you like at prices you will love.

No. 5: Appliance Outlet Center

14650 Martin Drive
Eden Prairie, MN 55344
(952) 975-6090
www.applianceoutletcenter.com

Ever wonder what they do with those appliances that may have a scratch, dent or other tiny imperfection? Well, many of them go here to be sold for a fraction of the price.

No. 6: Opitz Outlet

4320 Excelsior Blvd
St. Louis Park, MN 55416
(952) 922-2435
www.opitzoutlet.com

Designer brands are the name of the game here and at 70 percent off retail or less, you can’t pass it up. Perry Ellis, Ralph Lauren, DKNY, True Religion, Polo , Steve Madden, Nicole Miller and Diane von Furstenburg are just a few of the brands.