Retail Revolution
The international outlet shopping industry has experienced significant growth inrecent decades, driven by consumer demand for high-quality products at discounted prices. Outlet malls, once primarily a North American concept, have now expanded across Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America, becoming major retail destinations for both locals and tourists.
Outlet malls attract shoppers by offering well-known brands at lower prices than traditional retail stores. Discounts typically range from 25 per cent to 70 per cent off, making outlets particularly popular among bargain hunters and fashion-conscious consumers. Many outlets specialise in designer and luxury brands, providing an affordable way for customers to access premium products.
Over time and through the course of world events in recent years, the international outlet shopping industry has transformed into a global retail powerhouse, attracting millions of shoppers each year who enjoy the freedom and environment international outlets offer. With continued innovation, expansion and adaptation to new consumer trends, outlet malls are set to remain an essential part of the global retail landscape.
Outlet Centres Around the World
Opened in October last year by developer Value Retail and set within the historic grounds of Belmont Park, Belmont Park Village is redefining the luxury shopping experience in metro New York. The latest addition to The Bicester Collection, this open-air destination brings together world-class designer fashion, delicious dining and exceptional guest services. Discover an ever-evolving selection of designer fashion and lifestyle boutiques, from global icons to New York favourites, each offering a curation of unique, sought-after and archival pieces at up to 65 per cent off. Alongside its boutiques, the Village offers an array of eateries, from quick bites to sit-down dining, with new concepts opening throughout 2025. With a suite of signature guest services designed to enhance every visit – including concierge services, hands-free shopping, complimentary parking and a VIP private shopping space debuting in 2025 – Belmont Park Village offers an experience tailored to each guest. Located next to UBS Arena, home of the New York Islanders and cutting-edge concert venue, Belmont Park Village is part of a larger transformation of the legendary Belmont Park. Easily accessible by train from Grand Central Terminal and Penn Station and within minutes of JFK and LaGuardia airports, Belmont Park Village is a destination designed for discovery – where memories are made for guests
from Manhattan to Montauk and beyond.
Developer Simon is looking to add to its presence in the metro Nashville area. The company said that it has purchased a large site at the intersection of I-65 and I-840 in Thompson’s Station, Tennessee, on which it is planning a Simon Premium Outlet. The location is just outside of Nashville, which once again has been named one of the fastest-growing cities in the US. Construction of the luxury shopping and lifestyle centre is expected to begin in 2026. Initial plans call for up of 75 “best-in-class” retailers, restaurants and a hotel, with the potential to add residential options, big-box retailers and more.
Last year saw the completion of two redevelopment projects at Harbour Town Premium Outlets Adelaide. First up was the redevelopment of its dining precinct, Harbour Town Eats which completed in late 2024. This exciting project aimed to enhance the centre’s already renowned nature-inspired design and unique outdoor shopping experience. Harbour Town Eats provides a relaxed dining environment, complementing the centre’s open-air layout. The redevelopment included five new dining options, common area seating, licensed seating areas, charging stations and various ambience upgrades to ensure a relaxing and comfortable atmosphere for all visitors. Separately to this, another exciting development has transformed the Southern part of the mall into a premium destination with the introduction of the Convenience Mall upgrade. Spanning the length from JB Hi-Fi to the Fruit Market and extending to the area adjacent to the Harbour Town Eats water fountain, this development marks a significant enhancement to the Centre’s infrastructure and aesthetics. Completed in late November last year, the upgrade came at an investment cost of $7M.
The post-pandemic Chinese luxury retail market has been characterised by increased competitiveness and economic uncertainties. In this dynamic environment, Florentia Village, managed by developer RDM Asia, has demonstrated remarkable resilience, cementing its status as a leading player in the outlet sector. Last year saw the grand opening of Phase III of Florentia Village Chengdu. Opened in December 2017, this outlet is located in Pidu District and boasts excellent transportation links. With the new expansion, Florentia Village Chengdu now has a total building area of over 120,000sq m. Strategically located near major tourist attractions like Mount Qingcheng and Dujiangyan Scenic Area, Florentia Village Chengdu appeals to travellers and residents seeking weekend getaways.
Indonesian property developer Tuan Sing and Mitsubishi Estate Group last summer opened The Grand Outlet-East, poised to be the largest outlet mall in the country. The centre occupies 27,000sq m on an 88,000sq m land area. Situated in Karawang, it is easily accessible to visitors from Jakarta and Bandung via the Cikampek toll road and the soon-to-be-operational Karawang Whoosh Station. The outlet features more than 100 stores, including Coach, Kate Spade, Bally, Boss, Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, Michael Kors, Nike, New Balance, New Era, Victoria’s Secret, Pandora, The North Face, Timberland and Adidas. It also offers various food and dining options, such as Starbucks, The People’s Cafe, Pepper Lunch, Kimukatsu, Imperial Kitchen, Steak 21, Solaria and Subway.
Launched in September of last year, right by the water’s edge, set within park-like grounds overlooking the mangroves of Auckland’s Manukau Harbour, you’ll find Mānawa Bay – New Zealand’s premium outlet shopping destination. Mānawa Bay is an outlet shopping centre that has more than 100 stores, mainly outlets and restaurant space, situated under a 35,000sq m building. It is situated by Auckland Airport, on the corner of Tom Pearce Drive and Jimmy Ward and was developed by Auckland International Airport. With a mix of global fashion houses, athleisure brands and everyday wear, Mānawa Bay aims to redefine outlet shopping in New Zealand. More than just an outlet mall, it’s positioned as a premium retail destination, where the shopping experience itself is intended to be just as significant as the value offered.
VIA Outlets, Continental Europe’s fastest-expanding owner-operator of premium fashion outlets by gross lettable area (GLA) over the past decade; recorded a 6.8 per cent rise in brand sales year-on-year in 2024 to a new high of €1.45bn. Extensive remodelling and remerchandising projects drove a five per cent growth in footfall at VIA Outlets’ 11 destinations in nine European countries last year with total guest visits reaching over 32 million. At Landquart Fashion Outlet in the greater Zurich region, VIA Outlets started a project last year to expand the centre with almost 5,000sq m of GLA and about 14 new units, including a new restaurant. Also, at Vila do Conde Porto Fashion Outlet in Portugal a 4,977sq m GLA development is due to open in Q4 2025, while at Freeport Lisboa Fashion Outlet a major remodelling project is underway in differing phases. The Sevilla Fashion Outlet expansion project that opened in late 2023, helped drive double-digit brand sales and footfall growth at the centre last year.
As part of NEINVER’s plan to modernise its portfolio, two iconic outlet centres – Castel Guelfo The Style Outlets in Italy and Las Rozas The Style Outlets in Madrid – are undergoing significant transformations. These renovations go beyond aesthetics, aiming to create vibrant, welcoming spaces that enhance customer experience and attract new brands. Nestled in Bologna (Italy), Castel Guelfo The Style Outlets is being reimagined to blend retail with a dynamic social environment. A major highlight is a new dining plaza, which will transform a previous retail zone into a vibrant gastronomic hub. Featuring dedicated terraces, an expanded food selection and the integration of Mondadori, a beloved bookstore, this space will become a hotspot for visitors seeking relaxation and connection. Madrid’s Las Rozas The Style Outlets, Spain’s first outlet centre, is stepping boldly into the future with a complete transformation of its indoor and outdoor spaces. The renovation will introduce a contemporary façade, elegant wood-finished ceilings and updated storefronts featuring micro-cement coatings for a polished, modern look. Light-coloured flooring and an improved lighting system will further elevate the centre’s aesthetic, creating a bright and inviting atmosphere.
Thirty years ago, Marques Avenue laid the foundations of a model that transformed the retail landscape in France. They were the first to rethink the concept of factory outlets, turning them into true shopping destinations that met the expectations of increasingly demanding consumers in terms of product quality, shopping experience and pricing, while also addressing the needs of brands looking to showcase their unsold stock and overstock without compromising their image. This immediate success shaped a new way of consuming and helped brands build customer loyalty. True to their pioneering spirit, they have embarked on an ambitious transformation to launch the sixth generation of brand centres and villages, more innovative and better connected to new consumption patterns. This transformation is not just an evolution, it marks a new chapter for Marques Avenue and more broadly, for the entire outlet sector. Their ambition is clear: to redefine industry standards and create the model of tomorrow: more attractive, more efficient and more responsible.
Designer Outlet Algarve, the premium outlet village for the south of Portugal and Spain, kicks off construction for its centre extension. By the summer of 2025, up to 25 new stores will open on an additional 4,000sq m of gross lettable area, creating around 150 jobs. The plans for the expansion of the Designer Outlet Algarve are finally underway and will enhance the premium shopping experience for visitors. Following the centre’s extension, Designer Outlet Algarve will have a total gross lettable area of 17,000sq m and an enhanced premium brand portfolio of more than 80 fashion and lifestyle stores for visitors to enjoy. This unique project is a cooperation of INGKA Centres, Mutschler Outlet Holding and ROS Retail Outlet Shopping.
FASHION HOUSE Outlet Centre Pallady opened the doors to its second phase opened on 25th June last year and added over 5,700sq m to its existing space. FASHION HOUSE Pallady is situated in the Eastern part of Bucharest in a strategic point connecting traffic from the southern part of Romania and the A2 highway. With an open-air gallery, the project features a design concept inspired by Bucharest’s Belle Époque architecture, with bohemian streets which create a very attractive destination for visitors. A children’s play area, restaurants and over 300 free car parking spaces for visitors boosts the attractiveness of the outlet. New brands added to the site include adidas, Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, Under Armour, D’S Damat, Guess and Chic Chic, bringing the total area of the centre to almost 14,000sq m.
Last year FREY purchased ROS, the fourth-largest European outlet operator and is now the owner of the upcoming Malmö Designer Village which is currently under construction by developer Rioja Estates in cooperation with Outlet Insight. The project will host more than 130 international and Scandinavian fashion & lifestyle brands on a gross lettable area of 26,000sq m. The outlet village will feature landscaped gardens and a unique sustainable design, complemented by a unique Street Food Market, cafés & restaurants a kids playground and further facilities. Set to open in 2026, the aim of the scheme is to create a unique offering from premium and accessible luxury brands to best-of lifestyle and sportswear labels, as well as a good representation of the various other categories such as quality tableware and home, accessories, cosmetics and jewellery, with a balanced mix of Scandinavian and international brands. The site will also be home to the future Street Food Market, SMAK & HYGGE, which is set to be an exciting culinary destination, inspired by the popular food halls of Malmö and Copenhagen. Reflecting the rich culinary landscape of Scandinavia, SMAK & HYGGE will offer a curated selection of Danish and Swedish delights, international street food favourites like falafel and classic fika coffee shops.
Istanbul is set to become home to Türkiye’s first luxury designer outlet, with Florentia Village Luxury Designer Outlet scheduled to open in 2026 near Istanbul Airport. Developed by Kalyon Campus in partnership with Italy’s RDM-Fingen Group, this €160M project will bring over 200 global luxury brands to Türkiye’s growing retail market. The outlet will feature high-end fashion, designer labels and concept stores offering luxury brands at exclusive discounted prices. The project aims to attract over 10 million visitors annually, further solidifying Istanbul’s reputation as a premier shopping destination. Florentia Village is being developed with €100M in financing from JP Morgan London and €60M in direct foreign investment, backed by Italy’s Export Credit Agency, SACE. The first phase of the project will cover 65,000sq m of retail space, with plans to expand to 110,000sq m in the second phase. Alongside premium shopping, the project will also include a five-star hotel and a family entertainment centre, making it a fully integrated lifestyle destination. The strategic location near Istanbul Airport, one of the world’s busiest international hubs, is expected to make Florentia Village a key attraction for luxury shoppers, business travellers and tourists. With the airport projected to handle 100 million passengers annually by 2026, this luxury designer outlet near Istanbul Airport will serve local and international visitors looking for premium brands at discounted prices.
Originally developed by Matthew Fox Developments and operated today by Global Mutual, the biggest outlet shopping destination in the North East, Dalton Park, features over 65 stores selling 200 designer brands and labels. Stores include Molton Brown, Levi’s, Calvin Klein to athletic labels like New Balance and Adidas, outdoor essentials including Regatta and Trespass and high-street favourites such as M&S and Next. The site is also home to a Morrison’s superstore. In recent months, new signings include Mountain Warehouse, Animal and Le Creuset, who have all opened their doors at the destination in Durham. Another new signing, The Hole in Wand, opened to customers in October and is the perfect spot for a magical outing.
Construction is continuing at Cotswolds Designer Outlet in the southwest of the UK and it is set to be delivered in two phases creating 186,000sq ft of outlet space for 55 (phase one) high-quality fashion, sport, lifestyle and F&B brands, in a beautifully designed, Cotswolds-inspired setting. Situated in a strategic ‘gateway to the Cotswolds’ location, the new outlet scheme will serve a significant catchment area between Bristol and Birmingham as well as the sizeable – and increasingly international – tourism audience drawn to the endearing charm of the Cotswolds. Due to open this summer, Realm, the outlet specialist leasing and operating the scheme, is targeting a ‘full day out’ offering with a premium guest experience to establish the destination for its affluent regional catchment, as well as tapping into the £3.6bn annual tourism expenditure that the Cotswolds’ historic and cultural attractions generate. Fully funded and being developed by Robert Hitchins Ltd, Cotswolds Designer Outlet is the final piece of a long-term, 250 acre development vision to bring forward retail, F&B, leisure and 1,500 new homes in this unique location.
On track to open on 26 March 2026, Scotch Corner Designer Village will bring together a unique combination of retail outlet stores, leisure for all ages, cafés and restaurants as well as the UK’s largest home and garden centre. All of this will be set in 100 acres of healthy green space, creating a truly regional, national and international destination. Scotch Corner Designer Village is a development by Scotch Corner Richmond LLP and is thevision of property developer Simon Waterfield and his long-standing colleague Peter Mullen, who founded Thomas Pink and made it the brand it is today. The upcoming development will be home to over 80 premium, high street and independent fashion, sports, home and lifestyle brands. Fashion brands on site will include globally recognised names like Tommy Hilfiger, BOSS, Calvin Klein, Levi’s and Skechers; as well as leading UK brands including Clarks, Moss Bros, Brook Taverner and Regatta.
Set to open the doors of its phase one in 2026 by developer Rioja Estates, Grantham Designer Outlet Village is on course to be a state-of-the-art retail destination that will transform their visitors’ shopping and leisure experience. Grantham Designer Outlet Village will be the UK’s only premium outlet with a visible frontage and direct access from the UK’s third busiest highway (A1). Inspired by the surrounding countryside, their buildings are conceived as traditional forms with contemporary finishes and high-quality shop fronts. The upcoming outlet will offer a uniquely stylish retail and leisure experience for shoppers and tourists alike. Phase one will consist of 89 units with an area of 193,680sq ft; whilst phase two will add a further 94,809sq ft and 48 units. A choice of dine-in or grab and go eateries, combined with an array of premium fashion and lifestyle brands along with landscaped areas for relaxation and children’s play, will make Grantham Designer Outlet Village the ideal day out destination.
In August last year, Mall of Dilmunia announced a strategic partnership with Al Ahli Holding Group (AAHG), known for its renowned subsidiary Dubai Outlet Mall. This collaboration marks a significant milestone as Mall of Dilmunia launches as an Outlet Mall, ushering in a new era of retail excellence and innovation. With Dubai Outlet Mall’s expertise, Mall of Dilmunia will offer visitors unparalleled shopping, dining and entertainment experiences, featuring a fresh line-up of both existing and new brands. This partnership not only highlights the expansion of Dubai Outlet Mall into the region but also positions Mall of Dilmunia as a key player in Bahrain’s dynamic retail landscape, providing exceptional luxury value shopping experience. As part of the collaborative efforts, Mall of Dilmunia will enhance its facilities, ambiance and overall customer experience. Visitors can look forward to an exciting array of new stores, restaurants and entertainment options curated to cater to diverse tastes and preferences.
