It wasn’t that long ago that designer brands declared they would rather burn their precious inventory than sell it at discounted outlets. Now they’re eating their words - and smiling as they feast on the prospect of much-needed revenues during the economic downturn. Upscale outlet "villages" have mushroomed across Europe and North America in the last decade, squashing whatever stigma was once associated with giving aspirational shoppers access to heavily discounted designer merchandise.

By Robb Young

International Herald Tribune.

Published: October 5, 2008

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