Dear Reader,
Over the past two decades, the European outlet market has matured from a niche format into a firmly established and resilient asset class within the retail real estate sector. Once regarded as peripheral shopping destinations, outlets now occupy a central role in both consumer strategies and investors’ portfolios. Their proven ability to combine aspirational brands with attractive pricing continues to resonate strongly with both domestic and international shoppers.
Recent years have shown that outlets are not just surviving in the face of digital disruption and shifting consumer behavior—they are thriving. Performance data consistently highlights higher footfall recovery and stronger sales growth compared to traditional retail formats. Operators and landlords have embraced a more experiential approach, complementing bargain hunting with dining, leisure, and design-driven environments that encourage longer dwell times. Sustainability has also moved higher on the agenda: many schemes are integrating green building practices, energy-efficient operations, and responsible brand curation.
Another notable trend is the growing diversity of tenants. Luxury and premium labels remain core, yet outlets are increasingly welcoming sports, lifestyle, and even digitally native brands that seek a physical presence in high-performing locations. Meanwhile, cross-border tourism is once again a growth driver, underlining outlets’ appeal as destinations that blend shopping with travel.
This online special brings together the latest insights, projects, and perspectives shaping the outlet landscape across Europe. From new developments and expansions to market analyses and expert commentary, we aim to provide you with a comprehensive overview of a sector that continues to innovate and inspire.
And more than that, a core element of this online special is a dedicated FREY & ROS feature. FREY and ROS have joined forces to become nothing less than one of the most prominent players in the European outlet market. An ambitious, yet very well-justified goal — as we came to believe after our research and interviews for this special.
Warm regards
Reinhard Winiwarter
Publisher of ACROSS Magazine

Top-quality industry information is very important, especially in challenging times. Therefore, ACROSS will further expand its reporting, particularly in the online sector. You will find our publication dates for 2025 here. Benefit from our strong presence to further improve the positioning of your company.