Macy to Open Bullock’s Clearance Outlet in Mall : Retailing: The temporary center will occupy the former site of a Robinson’s store at the troubled Anaheim Plaza.

R.H. Macy & Co. will open a temporary Bullock’s department store clearance outlet Oct. 11 at the troubled Anaheim Plaza, mall managers said Tuesday.

The outlet--at the former site of a Robinson’s department store--is only scheduled to stay open for about five weeks.

But mall officials hope the drawing power of the Bullock’s Close Out center will draw shoppers to the mall’s smaller stores.

The mall has lost a lot of tenants since Robinson’s--one of three major anchor stores--closed three years ago. It has also been troubled by poor freeway access and competition from nearby MainPlace/Santa Ana and Brea malls.

“We’re pleased and excited that Bullock’s will join our center as a temporary tenant. This is one of only two stores of its kind in California, and we see this as a wonderful opportunity for everyone--Bullock’s, our merchants and especially our shoppers,” said Jan Wohlwend, the mall’s general manager.

Macy announced recently that it would open eight to 10 clearance centers nationwide.

The chain hopes to attract early Christmas shoppers by offering merchandise discounts of 50% or more.

Discount outlets performed well during last year’s recession-dampened holiday shopping season.

A Macy spokesman said it is doubtful that the Bullock’s store will remain open beyond the five-week period. But Anaheim Plaza officials hope that Bullock’s might decide to locate a permanent outlet store at the mall.

“Depending on their success, they have the ability to stay,” said Mike Strle, a vice president for the O’Connor Group, which manages the mall for its owners, the State Teachers Retirement System.

If the Bullock’s outlet is successful, it could bolster efforts to redevelop Anaheim Plaza as a discount retail center. The O’Connor Group is working with the city of Anaheim to develop a new concept for the mall.