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SPECIAL FEATURE: INTERNATIONAL OUTLETS

ZWEIBRÜCKEN FASION OUTLET
Zweibrücken, Germany
Developer: VIA Outlets

Looking to the Future

A model that has maintained its appeal during unprecedented times, the outlet market
continues to thrive and it has a bright future ahead. Here, RLI provides an overview of the
sector before experts in the field offer their views on the industry.

Due to their nature of being largely out of town and open-air, outlet underestimated,” Dr Joachim Will, Head of ecostra commented on
centres and destinations have become more attractive shopping this result. “It is well known in the market that Value Retail, in its
destinations for the general public during the last couple of years centres, charges by far the highest rents in the outlet sector. At the
and this seems to be continuing as Covid-19 begins to dissipate in same time, the brand manufacturers surveyed now confirm to us that
certain countries. their outlet stores also achieve the best returns there. Obviously, it
According to the most recent Outlet Centre Performance Report is worthwhile to operate shops in Value Retail centres despite the
(OCPRE) by ecostra GmbH in partnership with the French research high rents.”
institute Magdus, which is considered to be the ‘benchmark’ for The report continues by saying that outlet stores continue to be
the European outlet industry, the outlet operator Value Retail has significantly more profitable for brand manufacturers than their own
achieved something truly unique by taking first, second and third brand stores in the cities high streets. Here, the survey results of
place in the rankings. OCPRE have never shown a different picture over the past 14 years.
Gold went to “La Roca Village” in La Roca del Vallés, Spain, north of So as we continue to move through 2022, the future for the outlet
Barcelona. Silver went to “Kildare Village” in the north of Ireland and industry appears bright and while it has not been dampened by the
bronze to the previous serial winner “Bicester Village” in the British pandemic, its next steps will be on more-assuredly stronger ground
county of Oxfordshire. All three centres were developed and operated than that of traditional retail and over the next few pages industry
by Value Retail. experts offer us their thoughts on the outlet sector.
“This is indeed a very special achievement, which should not be

38 RETAIL & LEISURE INTERNATIONAL APRIL 2022