European Outlet Space for Premium Brands Grows 30%
Fashion brands gain more outlet capacity across ten European countries as VIA Outlets expands its portfolio.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Retail
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VIA Outlets, which operates 13 premium fashion outlet centres in ten European countries, grew its portfolio gross lettable area by 30 percent year-on-year in 2026 through acquisitions and expansions. The company acquired Scalo Milano Outlet & More in Italy and The Outlet Stores Alicante in Spain, expanding its footprint for retail brands seeking European outlet space.
Why it matters
The expansion gives premium fashion brands more outlet capacity across several European markets at once. The moves reflect continued investment in outlet formats as a channel for brands managing inventory and reaching value-conscious shoppers.
VIA Outlets reports a 30 percent year-on-year rise in gross lettable area, bringing its 13 centres to 370,000 square metres. The company completed more than 300 leasing transactions this year and welcomed over 80 new brands to its European portfolio.
The players
VIA Outlets
A European operator of 13 premium fashion outlet centres across ten countries, focused on leasing space to international and premium brands.
MAPIC
The international retail real estate trade event whose annual awards recognise leading retail property projects across Europe.
The details
VIA Outlets added space through both acquisitions and physical extensions of existing centres. Both acquired properties, Scalo Milano and The Outlet Stores Alicante, have been integrated into the portfolio. The Zweibrücken Fashion Outlet in Germany received final planning approval for an expansion adding 7,450 square metres, and the Landquart Fashion Outlet in Switzerland opened an extension of more than 4,800 square metres that raised its gross lettable area by 22 percent.
Timeline
Late 2025: Vila do Conde Porto Fashion Outlet in Portugal expanded by 6,500 square metres.
April 2026: The Landquart Fashion Outlet extension in Switzerland opened.
October 2026: VIA Outlets issued its debut Swiss franc green bond.
November 3, 2026: The MAPIC Awards winner for Best Refurbishment Project is announced in Cannes.
Market Landscape
VIA Outlets' GRESB score of 97 out of 100 in the European Retail category sets a high sustainability benchmark among property operators. The green bond issuance ties that performance to the company's financing, placing it within a growing segment of sustainability-linked real estate debt.
Brands looking for premium outlet space in Europe now have more locations and more leasable area to consider across several countries. Retail leasing and real estate teams should track VIA Outlets' new centres and extensions as possible placements for inventory-led channel strategies.
The takeaway
The core operating signal is that large outlet operators are growing through acquisition and expansion at the same time as they finance projects with sustainability-linked debt. Retail operators and brands can monitor VIA Outlets' leasing announcements and the November 3, 2026 MAPIC result as indicators of demand for premium outlet space in Europe.
What happens next
The MAPIC Awards winner for Best Refurbishment Project, of which VIA Outlets' Zweibrücken-area project is among the two shortlisted entries, will be announced in Cannes on November 3, 2026.
Further reading
For broader context on how outlet formats are evolving, see the Retail section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by FashionUnited.
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