I spent the August long weekend in the US, and had the chance to go to Woodbury Common Premium Outlet (less than an hour outside of New York City...there are several buses you can take from Manhattan) to do some shopping. Plenty of stores there, including a few places where you can find decent petites. The prices were okay, but higher than many other outlets, probably because it carries more higher end brands (stores include Tory Burch, Coach, Cole-Haan, Kate Spade and Burberry). Other stores include Off-5th, Barneys and Neiman Marcus Last Call.
Woodbury is HUGE! Bigger than any outlet mall I've ever been to (ok, I've pretty much only gone to Vaughan Mills and another one up in Concord (or maybe it's Stouffville), Ontario), with much more selection (I'm always jealous of people in the US....so many more outlet malls with really good selection! We're pretty much stuck with the basics up here). In fact, it was so big that I wasn't able to go to all the stores I wanted to go to! And I was there for a good five hours! Woodbury is a great place to shop, but the mall is outdoors, so when it's hot (like it was when I was there), it's HOT! Not great in the winter or in rainy weather either.
In terms of petites, the Ann Taylor Factory Store has a petite section. Selection is pretty good and the prices tend to be around the same as regular Ann Taylor Loft stores (didn't see anything over $75). Prices at Banana Republic were pretty decent too, but it was a zoo there, so I didn't stay very long. Also, selection in the smaller size ranges (00s, 0s and 2s) was slim and petite sizes were nowhere to be found/not designated to a special area. Of course, JCrew didn't have petites in stores (and the prices weren't that great either) and most of the other stores which carry petites are kind of granny-looking or plain.
Woodbury Commons is part of Chelsea Premium Outlets, with malls all over the US.
SOMETING INTERESTING: Maps are available detailing where all stores are located. It's interesting to note that stores which have plus-sizes are noted on the map, but those selling petites are not. Once again, the non-petite plus are noted, while the short (regardless of whether she is slim or not slim) is ignored.*
*I'll try to upload a pic of the map...will need to look for it.
