With almost 300 units and a GLA of 86,000 sqm , Troyes is so far the European leading outlet centres area. As a result of the first Conference about outlet centres in 2003, Troyes City Hall and the Aube Chamber of Commerce and Industry decided to found an Observatory for Factory Outlet Centres, called MAGDUS . The Observatory has set up an exclusive database that is unique in Europe, providing various analysis, market research and press reviews, and updating on a regular basis FOC directories of operators, centres and investors established in France and in all other European countries. But the Observatory does not just effect as a database for all operators involved in the FOC industry: indeed, Magdus aims to be a forum for debate and discussion on outlet centre development.