Where Fashion Meets Value

International retail outlets have evolved into global fashion destinations, offering consumers access to luxury brands, premium experiences and year-round value. As shopping habits shift and tourism rebounds, outlets are redefining modern retail through curated environments, international expansion and accessible luxury. Here, RLI takes a look at a selection of standout outlet projects from around the world.

Once viewed simply as discount shopping destinations, international outlet centres have progressed into sophisticated retail environments that combine luxury fashion, tourism, dining and lifestyle experiences under one roof. Across Europe, the Middle East, Asia and North America, premium outlet developments are attracting a new generation of consumers seeking designer brands, value-driven purchasing and immersive retail experiences. As global shopping habits continue to shift, outlet centres are increasingly positioned at the intersection of fashion, travel and experiential commerce.

Unico Outlet Bucaramanga, Bucaramanga, Colombia Developer: Unico

Driven by changing consumer expectations and the continued growth of luxury accessibility, outlet centres have become an essential component of the international retail landscape. Leading fashion houses and premium lifestyle brands are embracing outlet retail not only as a commercial opportunity, but also as a strategic extension of brand visibility and customer engagement. Carefully curated tenant mixes, elevated architectural design and hospitality-led concepts are helping redefine the traditional outlet model into something far more aspirational and globally relevant.

Tourism remains central to the success of many international outlet destinations. Strategically located near major cities, airports and cultural landmarks, outlet centres increasingly appeal to international travellers looking to combine shopping with leisure experiences. From Milan and Paris to Dubai and Shanghai, these destinations are contributing significantly to regional economies while strengthening their appeal as global retail hubs.

At the same time, the sector continues to adapt to wider industry challenges, including the rise of e-commerce, sustainability concerns and evolving consumer behaviour. Digital integration, omni-channel strategies and environmentally conscious development are now shaping the future of outlet retail. As brands and developers respond to these changes, international outlet centres are no longer defined solely by discounted luxury – they are becoming dynamic lifestyle destinations that reflect the future direction of global fashion retail.

Landquart Fashion Outlet, Zizers, Switzerland. Developer: VIA Outlets

Sydney Outlet Village, Sydney, Australia
Developer: Gazcorp

ECQ Outlet, Sydney, Australia
Developer: Frasers Property Australia

Outlet Centre Developments Around the World

Opened in December 2024, Unico Outlet Bucaramanga spans the equivalent of four city blocks, with over 140 commercial spaces and nearly one million visitors per month. It is the eighth shopping centre of the only outlet chain in Latin America, present in cities strategically chosen based on outlet market dynamics. Built in just 270 days by developer Unico and spanning a GLA of 15,000sq m, this landmark project set a new standard in execution, quality and impact. Located in Bucaramanga’s most densely populated area, Unico generated over 500 direct jobs with this centre and offered a curated mix that responds to real consumer needs. Designed for comfort, inclusion and effortless flow, it features native green areas, cultural plazas and open-air environments that reflect local identity and promote well-being. In their culture, the shopping centre is more than retail – it is a social anchor. Like the neighbourhood park, it’s a space where people meet, walk, connect and enjoy daily life in a safe and vibrant setting.

Simon, a real estate investment trust engaged in the ownership of premier shopping, dining, entertainment and mixed-use destinations, announced last year that it has entered into an agreement to purchase a large site in metro Nashville where it will develop a new luxury shopping and lifestyle destination known as Nashville Premium Outlets. Set to be built in Thompson’s Station, Tennessee, at the intersection of Interstate 65 and Interstate 840, Nashville Premium Outlets is expected to be a draw not only for residents, but shoppers and tourists from around the state and region. Simon is collaborating on this project with Nashville-based Adventurous Journeys (“AJ”) Capital Partners, a visionary company known for its transformative work in hospitality and real estate development. Construction on the approximately 325,000sq ft mixed-use centre is expected to begin in 2026, with preliminary plans to include approximately 75 best-in-class retailers, restaurants and a hotel, with the potential to add residential options, big-box retailers and more. An opening date of early next year is being targeted.

Another project by developer Simon that opened in March of last year was Jakarta Premium Outlets, its first site in Indonesia. Featuring more than 302,000sq ft of retail space, it is the eighth country to feature the Premium Outlet brand. Located in Tangerang, just outside of the country’s capital city of Jakarta, the centre features more than 150 global and local brands. Key premium and luxury brands include: Bally, BOSS, Coach, Furla, Lacoste, Longchamp, Marc Jacobs, Michael Kors, Kate Spade, Kenzo, Versace, Swarovski, Tumi and The North Face. The centre also features key sporting brands, including the first adidas outlet store in Indonesia, their largest outlet store in Southeast Asia and Nike. Shoppers can also enjoy a variety of international dining options. Inspired by the Indonesian archipelago, the centre features thoughtfully crafted architectural details, including lush greenery, water elements and shaded walkways to provide natural cooling and relaxation. Jakarta Premium Outlets is a subsidiary of Simon Genting Pte. Ltd., itself a joint venture between Genting Plantations Berhad and Simon Property Group.

Outlet Village Sofia, Sofia, Bulgaria. Developer: Trinity Capital

Alpes The Style Outlets, Valserhône, France. Developer: NEINVER

Liverpool’s outlet centre Fashion Spree last year rebranded to Sydney Outlet Village as it marked the grand opening of its stage-two expansion. The rebrand reflects the evolution of the centre from a single-level outlet into a premium open-air retail and lifestyle destination featuring 80 stores. The centre now houses a curated mix of global brands, modern dining concepts and Australian-first design features inspired by the charm of regional NSW high streets. The recently completed stage two of expansion adds 14 new tenancies across fashion, lifestyle and dining, including the largest Tommy Hilfiger outlet store in Australia, Calvin Klein, Oroton, Coach, Kate Spade, Ralph Lauren, Nike and New Balance. The centre now boasts a gross leasable area of 15,000sq m. Owner and developer Gazcorp has invested more than $100M in the second phase, raising total investment to date to over $300M.

Meanwhile, on 25 March this year, developer Frasers Property Australia’s ECQ Outlet at Eastern Creek Quarter (ECQ) became Greater Western Sydney’s newest dedicated outlet shopping destination, bringing the outlet experience closer to home for more than 1.2 million western Sydney residents. The 29,000sq m precinct includes food and beverage options, family-friendly amenities, entertainment offerings and more than 1,000 car parking spaces. ECQ is a dynamic multi-experience destination seamlessly integrating outlet shopping with everyday groceries and essentials, convenience shopping, health and beauty services, diverse dining and entertainment options, complemented by large-format and showroom retail.

VIA Outlets continued its strong growth trajectory in 2025, setting new records in brand sales and footfall. Previous investments in its ‘3R Strategy’ of remodelling, remarketing and remerchandising fed through to individual centre performance along with the continued outlet-retail dynamism in European tourism-driven markets. A 25 per cent extension of Vila do Conde Porto Fashion Outlet in Portugal of 6,500sq m brought the total GLA to 31,000sq m, was unveiled in November and added 31 stores and four restaurants to the centre. Also in Portugal, at Freeport Lisboa Fashion Outlet, a major remodelling project is underway, with the first phase completed in March this year, while at Landquart Fashion Outlet in Switzerland, an approximately 4,800sq m GLA development comprising 15 new units opened in April 2026. At the end of 2025, the portfolio consisted of 11 destinations in nine European countries.

Marques Avenue, Talange, Moselle, France
Developer: Marques Avenue Groupe

Outlet Montabaur, Montabaur, Germany. Developers: Fashion Outlet Grundbesitz GmbH & Co. KG & Outlet Centres International

Construction is progressing on Outlet Village Sofia, the first open-air outlet centre in Bulgaria. Located at the northern entrance of the capital and integrated into the wider XOPark Sofia retail destination, the project introduces a retail format that has long been established in Western Europe but has not yet taken root in the Bulgarian market. Developed by Trinity Capital, the outlet village is scheduled to open later in 2026 and will offer around 8,500sq m of leasable space across approximately 40 stores. The project is positioned at the intersection of the A1 and A2 motorways along Sofia’s ring road, one of the country’s busiest traffic nodes with more than 24 million vehicles passing annually. The objective of this upcoming outlet project is to combine shopping with leisure and create an environment where visitors spend time beyond the purely transactional. With construction advancing and leasing underway, Outlet Village Sofia is gradually moving from concept to reality – and could mark the beginning of the outlet sector in Bulgaria.

NEINVER closed 2025 with €1.72bn in brand sales across the 20 retail assets it manages in Europe. This represents a five per cent increase on a like-for-like basis compared to 2024, continuing a streak of consecutive years of growth. The portfolio, consisting of 16 outlet centres and four retail and leisure parks, underscores the outlet format as a key strategic channel for brands. NEINVER continued to enhance its portfolio in 2025 through significant refurbishment projects, including a comprehensive upgrade of both the interior and exterior areas at Las Rozas The Style Outlets in Madrid, Spain as well as the creation of a new food plaza and landscaping improvements at Castel Guelfo The Style Outlets in Bologna, Italy. Looking ahead, in Spain, San Sebastián de los Reyes The Style Outlets in Madrid is scheduled to begin a renovation in 2026 while Viladecans The Style Outlets in Barcelona is in the planning phase for an extension. Meanwhile in Italy, Vicolungo The Style Outlets in Novara will further enhance its recently created food plaza. On the development side, NEINVER is advancing Alpes The Style Outlets, its second project in France, which will offer 20,400sq m of retail space and is expected to open at the end of 2027. Strategically located just 25 minutes from Geneva, it sits right by the A40 motorway, a key route linking Paris to Geneva and the Mont Blanc region and is only a five-minute drive from the TGV station. The design project has undergone a major update, prioritising green spaces, sustainable energy and mobility.

Marques Avenue Groupe is a leader in the outlet sector in France and is now a key player in the transformation of retail. For more than 30 years, the Group has continuously evolved its model by combining price attractiveness, quality customer experience and sustainability. Driven by its signature “Free to stand out”, the Group is developing a more digital, experiential and contemporary ecosystem, designed for both brands and consumers. Marques Avenue relies on a network of eight centres located in the Paris region, the East and the South-East of France, as well as France’s first outlet marketplace. These sites host a mix of national and international brands in high-quality environments designed to support their growth through an omni-channel customer journey. This momentum is reflected in more than 30 leases signed in 2025 (11,000sq m of GLA) and 14 transactions completed in Q1 2026, representing an additional 2,600sq m. The Group continues its expansion through the opening and rollout of prestigious brands such as Petit Bateau, Schott, Crocs, Skechers, G-Star, VILA and Calvin Klein. Several brands, including Tommy Hilfiger, Nike, Only & Sons and Etam x Undiz, have also undertaken major refits. This transformation is taking shape in Talange, in the Moselle department, where a major redevelopment project will give rise to the Group’s new flagship destination in October 2026. Backed by a multi-million-euro investment, the project heralds the next generation of outlets: more modern, hybrid and sustainable.

Malmö Designer Village, Malmö, Sweden. Developer: Rioja Estates

Designer Outlet Kraków, Poland. Developers: KG Group

The planned Phase II at Outlet Montabaur will add approximately 10,000sq m of GLA, around 50 additional shop units and seven catering units, complemented by expanded green areas and an upgraded quality of stay. According to the developers Fashion Outlet Grundbesitz GmbH & Co. KG (owned by Philipp Dommermuth) and Outlet Centres International (OCI), the extension is designed to create new leasing opportunities for established retail and F&B concepts while reinforcing the existing tenant mix. By broadening the offer, the scheme aims to increase footfall, extend dwell time and further consolidate the centre’s market position when it opens next year. The project represents the first outlet centre expansion in Germany since the 2018 extension of Designer Outlets Wolfsburg, a notable milestone in a market that has otherwise seen limited new large-scale retail developments in recent years.

The highly anticipated City-Outlet in Bad Lippspringe (North Rhine-Westphalia), Germany will now open its doors in 2027, to allow additional construction time for the new retail spaces and integrate major anchor brands. Strolling from park to park, the unique setting makes the pedestrian zone of Bad Lippspringethe the perfect location for the City-Outlet. The outlet fits harmoniously into the 1.2km-long city centre and the existing retail structure. In the first phase, the plan is to establish 30 to 40 brands offering their collections all year-round at typical outlet discounts of 30 to 70 per cent off the recommended retail price. The developer and driving force behind the new retail project is the City-Outlet Bad Lippspringe Projekt GmbH, which was founded by a group of private shareholders. They are partnered with the Berlin-based consulting and leasing specialists, Outlet Evolution Services GmbH.

As the latest development by Arcus Real Estate, Roma Outlet Village is currently under development. Targeting the intersection of international tourist flows, it aims to offer an extraordinary shopping experience in Rome. The project includes 90 shops across 21,000sq m of retail space in Phase 1 and an additional 60 shops across 11,000sq m in Phase 2. The Village will showcase luxury, designer and contemporary fashion across its more than 140 stores and is planned to open by the end of 2026.. Roma Outlet Village will become a significant retail and tourist attraction and is set to invite you to experience the essence of Italian elegance in a setting that blends timeless architecture, curated fashion and warm hospitality. Surrounded by the charm of Lazio’s landscapes and rich cultural heritage, this is more than a shopping destination – it’s a carefully crafted experience where style, comfort and authenticity come together in perfect harmony.

Elsewhere in Italy, Torino Outlet Village, which opened in 2017 with a 20,000sq m centre arranged on a single, open-air level, featuring a 290m-long promenade and 90 stores of the finest brands, launched its Phase 2 extension back in October last year, which added an additional 11,000sq m of GLA and almost 60 new stores.

Grantham Designer Outlet Village, Lincolnshire, UK. Developer: Rioja Estates

Cotswolds Designer Outlet, Gloucestershire, UK. Developer: Robert Hitchins Ltd

Scotch Corner Designer Village, Yorkshire, UK. Developer: Scotch Corner Richmond LLP

Launched in May last year and located in Kraków’s city centre at one of the most popular arteries in the city, Designer Outlet Kraków benefits from a catchment area of almost five million inhabitants and a great tourism potential. On a gross lettable area of 20,000sq m, Designer Outlet Kraków is home to more than 100 stores with recognised fashion and lifestyle brands, with 30-70 per cent off, all year round. The centre is a shopping destination and meeting place for the whole family where a number of restaurants and cafés offer a wide variety of cuisines. The outlet also stands out for its unique design with interiors infused with natural light coming through skylights. Wide corridors with relaxation areas make the centre a welcoming spot for shopping and leisure. Constructed by developers KG Group, Designer Outlet Kraków is a BREEAM certified project.

The Malmö Designer Village project by developer Rioja Estates will host more than 130 international and Scandinavian fashion & lifestyle brands on a gross lettable area of 26,000sq m when it opens in May next year. 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. 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 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 the Florentia Village Luxury Designer Outlet scheduled to open in late 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.

Livingston Designer Outlet, Livingston, Scotland
Owners: Global Mutual & Patron

Qatar Outlet Village, Lusail, Qatar. Developer: Shelter Group

The only major new retail opening in the UK last year, the Cotswolds Designer Outlet launched back in July. The stunning destination provides a modern take on the traditional Cotswolds Village and has been carefully designed and delivered to showcase everything that makes the local area so unique. The same attention to detail has been applied to the in-store experience and fit-outs, as the Cotswolds Designer Outlet boasts the very latest store concepts, from layout and lighting through to product. The 136,000sq ft scheme was delivered by developer and investor Robert Hitchins Ltd and the specialist manager of retail and leisure destinations, Multi-Realm. The outlet is located at the gateway to the Cotswolds, just off Junction 9 of the M5, right on Tewkesbury’s doorstep and equidistant from Bristol and Birmingham. It has a carefully curated line-up of 52 brands, equating to 132,700sq ft, including an impressive roster of national and international names.

Set to open in spring 2027, 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 the vision 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. The site has planning permission for 182,500sq ft of retail stores, leisure outlets, cafes and restaurants (Phase 1) and 115,000sq ft for one of the UK’s largest home and garden centres (Phase 2). There is potential to acquire a further outlet phase of 120,000sq ft owned by a third party for which planning approval is pending (Phase 3).

With construction set to start on site in autumn 2026 and opening on course for the summer of 2028, Grantham Designer Outlet Village by developer Rioja Estates and contractor McLaren will be a state-of-the-art retail and leisure destination that will transform the shopping experience for visitors. The site will become the UK’s only premium outlet with a visible frontage and offer direct access from the UK’s third busiest highway (A1). Inspired by the surrounding countryside, the buildings are being conceived as traditional forms with contemporary finishes and high-quality shop fronts. Phase 1 of the project is set to consist of 89 units across 193,680sq ft, whilst Phase 2, which will begin construction in 2029 and open around spring/summer 2031, will be home to a further 48 units 

 

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