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FASHION HOUSE Militari, Bucharest, Romania                                             Livingston Designer Outlet, Livingston, Scotland





























 about adding space but also about enhancing     resilience despite economic uncertainties.   To attract new brands, outlet operators   are working with irrefutable facts, then it’s all   shuns the outdated ‘cookie cutter’ approach   on new commercial spaces.
 the  overall  shopping  experience.   Consumer demand for value-driven shopping   are prioritising experiences, driving footfall   about the people and relationships. It’s vital to   and delivers impressive outcomes, allowing   Historically focused on ready-to-wear,
 By incorporating more high-profile brands and   is on the rise, with research predicting a 30 per   and repeat visits, focusing on a mix of food &   build collaborative dialogues with the people   brands and outlet schemes to flourish and     outlets are evolving towards diversification
 improving the retail mix, we have strengthened   cent growth in outlet sales to €30bn by 2028   beverage options, pop-up activations or local   behind the retail brands and work together.     thrive in unison.  and adaptation of their merchandising: culture,
 our position as a premier outlet shopping   (Ken Gunn Consulting 2024). Additionally,   brand partnerships that extend the centres   If the brand is successful in its location then so   leisure and food & beverage are becoming
 destination in Romania.  70 per cent of consumers plan to buy from    appeal beyond shopping. Additionally, we see   too is the scheme. It’s in our interest to ensure   Renaud Maret, President - Marques Avenue  strategic segments to extend visit duration
 Additionally, consumer behaviour has   outlets or off-price retailers in the next year,   more investment in modernising the centres   that we get it right, from start to finish.  and strengthen attractiveness. The opening
 evolved post-pandemic.  Shoppers are more   regardless of their budget (McKinsey’s State   through refurbishments, sustainable design   Global Mutual’s strategic approach to   Pillars of European retail, outlets are   of the 2,500sq m NIKITO leisure park at Quai
 discerning and increasingly favour purchases   of Fashion 2025). These trends reinforce the   and upgraded amenities. Year-round events   outlet asset management is powered by its   undergoing  a  profound  transformation.  des Marques Franconville, a first in France in
 that deliver long-term value. This is evident   outlets’ role in meeting the needs of price-  and community-driven initiatives are helping   in-house data team, which sits at the heart of   Between strategic acquisitions, diversification,   the sector, marks this turning point.
 in the sustained demand for fashion staples,   conscious yet brand-aware consumers.  to create a sense of place that visitors expect   the organisation. In-depth knowledge derived   hybridisation, digitalisation and sustainability,   Another strategic lever of this hybridisation
 premium brands and timeless pieces that    From a retailer’s perspective, as consumer   today; and to engage with younger, experience-  through multiple data points and combined with   outlets are no longer content to simply   is the digital extension and the physical/e-
 justify the investment. Outlets provide an ideal   confidence fluctuates, brands see consumer   driven shoppers, operators are experimenting   this team’s scientific methodology provides a   follow the market; they are becoming drivers   commerce fusion. In 2024, Marques Avenue
 setting for these purchases, allowing customers   spending uncertainty as a key challenge.   with different retail formats and focusing on   unique understanding of the catchment and   behind  change,  reconciling  accessibility,   launched  the first integrated marketplace
 to shop smartly without sacrificing quality.  To mitigate this uncertainty, brands are    social media-led marketing strategies.  its potential. It’s this execution that assures     attractiveness, enriched experience and   designed to be carried across a network.
 Looking ahead, we remain optimistic about   increasingly incorporating outlets into their   Additionally, amid growing regulations   brands the audience is right for them.  sustainable performance.  Faced with environmental challenges,
 the growth potential of the outlet sector.   multi-channel strategies in a way to reach the   requiring  retailers  to  minimise  their  Data-driven decision-making is fuelling retail   With 25 centres (13 per cent of the   outlets are no longer content to optimise
 Even in challenging economic times, shoppers   consumer through multiple retail channels.   environmental impact and reduce carbon   growth. Equipping brands and destinations   European  market), France  ranks among  the   their economic model; they are becoming
 continue to prioritise fashion - just with a more   Premium athleisure and lifestyle brands, in   emissions, outlets provide a channel to ensure   with the statistics they need to spearhead   market leaders alongside the United Kingdom,   actors in retail’s ecological transition. This
 strategic approach. At FASHION HOUSE   particular, are leading the way in transforming   inventory is sold, maximising economic revenue   decision-making is imperative in the current   Spain  and  Italy.  The French-made  outlet,  a   involves greater eco-efficiency of centres

 Group, we are committed to further enhancing   outlets into customer acquisition hubs. Many are  and reducing brand waste.  market. Successful outlet destinations must   model of resilient retail par excellence, shows   (energy sobriety, decarbonisation, phasing out
 our offering, bringing even more exciting    enhancing their outlet presence by upgrading   With  strong  fundamentals,  increasing  leverage considered research and insights   remarkable performances: an average basket   fossil fuels, greening...).
 brands and experiences to our customers.  store designs, integrating digital experiences   footfall, growing demand for affordable top   to support brands and make a conclusive     of €130 and profitability reaching up to €7,000   The sustainable outlet also means promoting
 The future of outlet shopping is bright and   and offering in-store services such as   brands, a compelling value proposition and the   case for investment.  per square metres. This dynamic is based on a   more responsible consumption. Marques
 as demand for value-driven retail continues   alterations,  customisation  and  product  sector’s ability to cater to evolving consumer   Whilst data provides the building blocks   hybrid positioning, combining attractive prices   Avenue is leading the way in Troyes with its
 to grow, we are confident that the outlet    personalisation. These enhancements elevate   expectations, the sector is well-positioned for   and proof-points for leasing decisions, it   with immersive experiences.  “circular outlet” project, dedicated to second-
 sector will remain a key player in the fashion   the shopping experience, blurring the line   sustained growth in 2025 and beyond.  can only go so far. Global Mutual believes in   Recent financial operations demonstrate   hand, repair and upcycling.
 industry’s evolution.  between outlet and full-price experience to   a human  approach to  asset management,   investors’ growing interest in the sector, as   Finally,  this  transformation  cannot
 meet growing consumer expectations. Retailers   Nicky Lovell, Head of Outlets and Business   building true partnerships with brands to drive   illustrated  by Mata Capital’s acquisition  of   be complete without more ethical and
 Fran Gutierrez, Retail Director – NEINVER  are increasingly recognising the strategic   Development - Global Mutual  the right decisions and build the best outlet     the Marques Avenue Group and five of its   transparent governance. In this regard, B
 benefits of this approach: it strengthens   destinations together.  managed centres. This transaction comes with   Corp certification is becoming a guarantee of
 The outlet sector continues to outperform   brand engagement while optimising inventory     When it comes to outlet leasing and brand   Championing this personalised approach   an ambitious investment plan to modernise    high standards in terms of social, societal and
 other retail segments, demonstrating strong   and profitability.  conversations, we start with data to ensure we   to the outlet retail sector, Global Mutual   and optimise existing sites in light of restrictions     environmental impact.


 Las Rozas The Style Outlets,    Marques Avenue Aubergenville, France
 Las Rozas de Madrid, Spain


















 40 RETAIL & LEISURE INTERNATIONAL APRIL 2025                             APRIL 2025 RETAIL & LEISURE INTERNATIONAL 41
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