All the studies

  • Factory Outlet Centres as Temples of Shopping Tourism
    Source: Caroline LAMY, expert Magdus’ Observatory. Article published in the French revue « Espaces, tourisme et loisirs » (Spaces, tourism and leisure) n°269, april 2009.

    Abstract : The development of Factory Outlet Centres is a retail phenomenon which started approximately twenty years ago. These shopping malls of a new type are highly attractive because they promise great “bargains” to their customers. They have become tourist destinations for short stays, as illustrated by the success of the city of Troyes in France, which is the European capital of factory outlets. Gradually, these shopping centres are strengthening their identity as festive and entertaining shopping destinations.

    Read the article in french:
  • Economic report: activity of Southern European Factory Outlet Centres (Italy, Spain, Portugal) during the second half-year 2008
    Abstract:The European Factory Outlet Observatory lead an economic inquiry with the directions of Factory Outlet Centres in Southern Europe in January- February 2009 to collect their balance sheet of the second halfyear 2008. This synthesis brings to light the big tendencies of the activity of the centres during this period. In an unfavourable cyclical context, in particular during the second half-year 2008, it seems that the majority of the Factory Outlet Centres in Southern Europe had a good activity.
    Author: European Factory Outlet Centres Observatory, March 2009

    Free access to this study after registration to the Magdus’ Club


  • A good year 2008 for the French Factory Outlet Centres
    Abstract: In January 2009, the magdus team has interviewed the marketing managers of several factory outlet centres in France to collect their balance sheet of year 2008. This synthesis brings to light the big tendencies of the activity of the centres in 2008 with regard to the balance sheet of year 2007. In an unfavourable cyclical context, in particular during the second half-year 2008, it seems that the majority of the Factory Outlet Centres had a good activity during year 2008.
    Author: European Factory Outlet Centres Observatory, February 2009


  • Winter sales 2009: no crisis in the French factory outlet centres’ sector
    Abstract: In January 2009, the magdus team has interviewed the marketing managers of several factory outlet centres in France to draw a first balance of the French winter sales. It appears clearly that in an economical context of restrictions and difficulties, the first trend of the sales time is good and it seems that the factory outlet centres’ sector in France is not affected by the crisis.
    Author: European Factory Outlet Centres Observatory, February 2009


  • Architectural analysis of the « Exit 66 » project (Czech Republic)
    Abstract: The « Exit 66 » project (Czech Republic) distances itself at present from the other European factory outlet centres, existing or in project, by an original architectural concept. Thanks to this one, the future centre wishes to offer to its visitors a unique experience: shopping around the world by measuring successively the streets of Rome, Paris, Prague, London and New York. What does this new architectural concept bring in term of image and attractiveness? Does this project prefigure a concept different from existing outlet centres? Does it expect a new type of retail tourism? This article brings to light the originality of the architectural concept adopted for this project and points the questions which its presentation arouses.
    Author: Caroline LAMY, magdus expert, november 2008


  • Summer sales 2008: halftone balance in the French factory outlet centres’ sector
    Synthesis: In France, there are 2 kinds of sales: the winter sales and the summer sales. At the half time of the summer sales 2008, which started on June 25th, the Magdus team has led an inquiry contacting 15 outlet centres headquarters to know if the trend of economic slowdown is weather confirmed or denied. The first balance for sales in factory outlet centres is not too bad, but too good also. According to the inside of several outlet centres, the reasons evocated are the diminution of the purchase power as well as the area: people have less moved to the shopping centres from far away, comparing to the past years. Kids and women’s wear are recognised as the most dynamic sectors during these sales, still, however, no specific range is recognised as more efficient than the others. Nevertheless, it seems that the more successful brands during the year are also number one in these sales time. The trend is not so bad and less catastrophic than what has been announced. Most of balances are the same than the year before. If several centres have suffered from a lower activity, there were fewer visitors in the centres, but more consumers who spent more money. The trend should not change before the end of the sales time*. In general the balance is good, and it seems that outlet centres have less suffered than the regular shops in town centres. In Paris for example, a survey published on the 22nd of July and led by the Paris Chamber of Commerce (CCIP) towards merchants, revealed that they are “not totally satisfied” or “not satisfied” of their clearance activity this summer. To conclude, on Wednesday July 23rd 2008, the French parliament has passed a bill on the modernization of the French economy currently called LME in France (Loi de modernisation de l’économie in French. From January 2009, the sales will last 5 weeks verses 6 now and every merchant will have the 2 weeks minored from the global time to use anytime in the year per week, depending on its will.

    * Sales will last until august 2nd or 5th in 83 departments. In other departments where they started later on, they will last until august 19th.

    Author: European Factory Outlet Centres Observatory, July 2008


  • The "starchitecture" in the european factory outlet centres’ sector
    Abstract: For a long time, shopping centres were the object of no architectural reflection. During the years 1960-1970, the architectural aestheticism was relegated in the background, the developers paying their attention and their efforts on the location of the centres, on the costs of construction which constituted the main commercial logics. In this period, it was necessary to build equipments quickly and with a lower cost; the important thing being to sell cheaper in a setting which counted little. 1980s marked the revival of the interest of the architects for shopping centres and appearance of a new attention of the developers carried in the architecture of their shopping centres. In a more and more competitive market, the architecture becomes an important factor of differentiation. The stakes which surround the realization of a shopping centre are now such as numerous developers seek famous architects. The sector of the factory outlet centres does not escape this phenomenon. Several developers of factory outlet centres appealed to this media architecture during these last twenty years. What does this architecture provide in term of image and attractiveness? What are the other stakes which are attached to it? This study, entirely dedicated to the architecture of the European Factory Outlet Centres which realization was confided to architects of international fame, brings to light profits bound to this media architecture, also called « starchitecture » or still « architecture star-system ». Author: Caroline LAMY, magdus expert, may 2008


  • Architectural analysis of the factory outlet centres in Europe
    Abstract: The architecture of Factory Outlet Centres in Europe is the object of questions, even controversies. The style « village » undergone by deep criticisms. This architecture took a major place in the sector and the actors are many to wonder if it dominates the market today. If the architecture of the centres establishes an essential element of their image, it seems marginal, even absentee of the studies dedicated to the Factory Outlet Centres in Europe. Nevertheless the architectural tendencies reflect the evolution of the concept. The architecture appears among the key factors allowing to distinguish four generations of Factory Outlet Centres which have succeeded in Europe since the middle of the 1980s. This study, entirely dedicated to the architecture of Factory Outlet Centres in Europe, brings to light the place that occupy the various architectural styles within the sector.
    Author: Caroline LAMY, magdus expert, february 2008


  • Which factory outlet centre? The UK consumer’s selection criteria
    Abstract : Factory outlet centres are the fastest growing retail format in Europe. This is at a time when many ‘traditional’ shopping centres are suffering from consumer caution and have responded by differentiating their offer. Factory outlet centres are part of this response. There has, however, been little academic research that focuses on this new style of shopping centre. This paper examines what is important to the UK factory outlet centre shopper, and ranks a range of choice criteria to better understand why this consumer visits one such centre in preference to another. Implications for retailers and directions for future research are provided.
    Author: Georgina Whyatt, Business School, Oxford Brookes University, 2007
    (Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)
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European Economic situation reports

 

(*) champs obligatoires