Luxury Authentication Analyst
Authentication analyst covering the resale market, marketplace verification programs, and counterfeit trends.
Published October 2026 · Contact
Is Shop Simon Legit?
Yes. Shop Simon (ShopSimon) is a real, established marketplace, not a copycat site: it carries the name of Simon Property Group, the largest owner of shopping malls in the United States and the company behind the Premium Outlets centers, and it has been running since 2019. The thing to understand before you buy is that Shop Simon is a marketplace. The brand or retailer you order from is the seller, and that seller ships your order and takes the return.
What Shop Simon Is
Shop Simon is Simon's online outlet and sale shop. It started in 2019 as Shop Premium Outlets, built with Rue Gilt Groupe, the company behind Rue La La and Gilt. According to Fortune's report on the October 2019 launch, Simon took a 50% stake in a new company that combined Rue Gilt Groupe and the site, for $280 million. In 2024 the site was expanded and renamed ShopSimon, and Modern Retail reported that it had moved beyond outlet stock to other discounted merchandise as well.
Today the site lives at shop.simon.com. Its terms of service name the operator as ShopSimon, LLC, a Delaware company that uses the ShopSimon name as an independent third-party licensee of Simon Property Group's affiliates. Its own About page describes "premium and luxury sale-priced products from the brands you love" and savings of up to 85%.
Who Actually Sells on Shop Simon
This is the part that matters most for whether an item is genuine. Shop Simon's terms say that orders "are sold by, fulfilled by, and can only be returned to our Vendors and not ShopSimon", and that Shop Simon is not responsible for shipping or delivery. The vendors are the brands themselves and retailers that sell them.
- Brand outlet and sale stock. Modern Retail's 2024 report counted more than 3,000 brands and named Adidas, Cole Haan, Etro, Hugo Boss, MCM, Puma, Steve Madden and Tod's among them.
- Authorized retailers. The same report quoted the site as saying that every product is "either sold directly by the brand or through an authorized retailer".
- Pre-owned listings. At the time of writing (October 2026) the site also has a pre-owned section from Rebag, sold with condition grades. For how Rebag checks what it sells, see our Rebag review.
The About page promises "guaranteed authenticity". Because each vendor ships its own items, an order with several brands can arrive in more than one box, from more than one sender.
Is Outlet Merchandise Real?
Outlet does not mean fake. An item sold by the brand itself, or by a retailer the brand supplies, is a genuine product even when it is older stock or a line made for outlet stores. Some brands do make goods specifically for their outlets. Coach is one: our Coach bag guide explains how its factory outlet pieces are marked. An outlet piece is a different product from the boutique line, not a counterfeit, so read the listing for what you are actually buying.
Shop Simon Returns
At the time of writing (October 2026), Shop Simon's refund policy says:
- 30 days. Returnable items can be sent back within 30 days of receiving the shipment.
- Through the site, by FedEx. You start the return from your account (guests create an account with the order email), and the item goes back to the retailer that sold it on a prepaid label. Returns are FedEx only, so they cannot be taken to a store at the mall.
- A $4.95 return fee per order is deducted from the refund.
- Final Sale items are not refundable unless they arrive damaged or you received the wrong item.
- Refund timing. Refunds are processed within 5 business days after the retailer receives the package.
The terms also send disputes to binding arbitration, which is one more reason to pay by a credit card: if a seller will not take back an item you believe is not genuine, a card dispute is still open to you. Our guide to getting a refund for a fake designer item explains how those claims work.
What to Check When Your Order Arrives
- Who sent it. The packing slip and label should come from the brand or retailer named on the listing.
- The listing against the item. Colour, size, materials and any style number on the label should match what you ordered.
- Condition grades on pre-owned items. Compare them with the photos on the listing.
- Your return window. If anything looks wrong, start the return early; 30 days from delivery goes quickly.
If something about a designer item does not sit right, a professional review of clear photos settles it before the return window closes.
A code that checks out doesn't prove the item is real. Counterfeiters copy genuine codes.
Our authenticators check the stamps, hardware and construction against verified references. You get a verdict within 24 hours, and a Certificate of Authenticity if the item passes.
Authenticate My Item →Related guides
FAQ
Is Shop Simon legit?
Yes. Shop Simon is a real marketplace tied to Simon Property Group, the mall and Premium Outlets owner. It launched in 2019 as Shop Premium Outlets and was renamed in 2024. The brand or retailer you buy from is the seller: it ships the order and takes the return.
Who owns Shop Simon?
Its terms name the operator as ShopSimon, LLC, which uses the ShopSimon name as a licensee of Simon Property Group's affiliates. The site was launched in 2019 with Rue Gilt Groupe, in which Simon took a 50% stake.
Are products on ShopSimon authentic?
Shop Simon's About page promises guaranteed authenticity, and the site has said that products are sold by the brand directly or through an authorized retailer. If an item you receive does not look right, return it within the 30-day window or have it checked first.
Can I return a Shop Simon order to a store at the mall?
No. At the time of writing, returns go through the site and FedEx only, back to the retailer that sold the item, and a $4.95 fee per order comes off the refund. Final Sale items cannot be returned unless they are damaged or wrong.
Why did my Shop Simon order come in several boxes?
Each vendor ships its own items, so an order with products from more than one brand or retailer can arrive as separate shipments.
