Page 40 - September 2020

SPECIAL FEATURE: INTERNATIONAL OUTLET CENTRES

A Breath of Fresh Air

The coronavirus pandemic has spread across the world and almost singlehandedly brought the
world of retail to its knees. Despite this, outlet centres seem to be continuing almost unhindered

in its success as more and more people feel more comfortable in an outdoor environment. Here,
RLI takes a look at a number of major outlet centre projects from around the globe.

AMSTERDAM THE STYLE OUTLETS
Amsterdam, Netherlands

he Corona pandemic and the lockdown ordered outlet centres, which focus on fashion predominantly, were remodelling programme, with Zweibrücken Fashion Outlet profile brands has continued with Dune London opening
by the authorities led to the closure of all shops particularly affected. As a result, the outlet centres were outside Frankfurt being the latest centre to enjoy upgrades. doors to a high spec fit-out and joining brands like Radley,
in almost all European countries that were not closed completely for several weeks and months. The works, which started in 2019, has sought to modernise Joules, Jack Wills and Crew Clothing. This has all translated
Tabsolutely necessary for the basic supply of the Despite this, their findings show that since shops have the centre by redesigning its central squares, integrating into high quality turnover with spend per visitor increasing by
population with food and other short-term necessities. re-opened in mid-May 2020 in Germany and across other gastronomic concepts, planting over 80 trees, building 11 per cent year on year. Fashion, beauty, home and garden
Outlets offer a combined leisure and shopping experience. European countries since then, a clear trend is emerging in new rest and leisure areas and much more. Following are all performing particularly well.
We are already seeing that they will continue to attract that outlet centres have returned to the previous year’s levels the completion of the redesign in June, the centre has Opened in October 2019 by McArthurGlen was the
shoppers during these challenging times. Consumers are of footfall and turnover much more quickly than shopping also welcomed a set of new brands including Coccinelle, innovative and attractive extension to the existing Ashford
now looking more for leisure on their doorsteps, so local centres or inner-city high streets and over the next few pages Sportalm, BALR and Starbucks, bringing the total number Designer Outlet complex which added 46 retail, leisure and
catchments are proving to be more important than they we will present a selection of the key projects that have of brands in the fully-let centre to over 120. F&B units to the 80 already operating, as well as a new events
were before Covid-19. According to data from CACI, the already opened and some that eagerly awaited in the future. Springfields Outlet, the 200,000sq ft scheme with 25 acres space and a children’s play area. A net 324 extra parking
requirement to work from home and the fear of public of leisure attractions set in beautiful landscaped gardens. spaces have been created to serve the development, which
transport has reduced visits to city centres by 20 per cent. OUTLET PROJECTS ACROSS THE WORLD The leading shopping and leisure destination in the East welcomed 3.6 million visitors per year before the expansion
55 per cent of consumers are visiting local high streets for VIA Outlets, which owns and operates a portfolio of of England, it includes 54 outlet stores, nine restaurants, a – a figure which is expected to greatly increase. The original
non-essential retail versus only 16 per cent going to cities. eleven premium fashion outlets in Europe, has had a busy 58,000sq ft garden centre and a 43-bedroom hotel. Since building was designed by Richard Rogers (Baron Rogers
Outlets with strong local catchments are already benefitting year despite the Covid-19 pandemic: having been asked to re-opening to the public on 15 June, Springfields Outlet of Riverside) in an oval shape and covered by a fantastic,
from these new behaviours. close eight of its centres at the beginning of the pandemic, & Leisure in Lincolnshire has once again demonstrated its oversailing canopy, designed by Architen Landrell – it was
According to ecostra GMBH, with the exception of it was able to reopen all centres in early June – seeing resilience. Springfields award-winning gardens and leisure necessary to ‘cut’ the ends off both this canopy and the
food retailing, this affected almost the entire retail sector, encouraging trading performance across both brand sales have also reopened, and the combined outlet and leisure buildings below it to enable the construction of the new
regardless of location or whether the shops were rented in and, where there are no government-imposed caps on offering has attracted back existing and new customers to extension, which provides 46 new units (with the flexibility
a shopping centre or retail park or in a high street. However, visitors, footfall since. VIA Outlets has also continued its this popular destination. The ongoing opening of new higher- to house 50, if required).

40 RETAIL & LEISURE INTERNATIONAL SEPTEMBER 2020 SEPTEMBER 2020 RETAIL & LEISURE INTERNATIONAL 41