Factory outlet centres - a survivor?

To show that it is still possible undertake real estate research despite the lock-downs across Europe, Ken Gunn (https://www.kengunn.co.uk/post/the-strategic-importance-of-outlet-centres-increased-in-2020) has analysed the contents of 230 factory outlet centres' websites in what is, apparently, an annual survey.

The work involved in such an exercise should not be underestimated, particularly given the significant variations between the format and content of websites. This resource will become more valuable as the years progress, but at the end of 2020, Ken calculated that:

· The European outlet industry comprised 6,427 brands, occupying 15,457 stores

· The number of occupied stores grew by 1.1% in 2020. However, the number of brands present declined by 0.9%