MARKS & SPENCER TAILORING 100% COTTON SHIRT High street £19.50 Inside Online £23 the Outlet £13

outlets LEVI’S 501 JEANS Outlet villages trumpet big savings on branded High street £55 Online £40 clothing and homeware. We put their claims Outlet £40 CALVIN KLEIN BUTTON FLY to the test to see whether they’re worth visiting BOXER SHORTS High street £18 Online £13 elcome to the world of Oxford Street. Our visit to the Outlet £14 guilt-free shopping!’ Designer Outlet, meanwhile, yielded screams the sign a Karrimor Lynx 65-litre rucksack at above the entrance to £52.50 – a 30 per cent discount on a com- the Swindon Designer parable model on sale at the high-street ‘OutletW – one of a number of so-called out- store Millets. let villages across the country. These lure Overall, shopping at an outlet village was SAMSONITE consumers through their doors with prom- cheaper than shopping online, but some CRUSAIR 400 ises of big discounts on goods from design- items we checked were cheaper or not sig- SUITCASE ers, like Ralph Lauren and Fred Perry, and nificantly more expensive online – even High street £119 well-known high-street brands, such as including postage and packing. But where Online £105 Gap and Marks & Spencer. clothes and shoes are concerned, unless Outlet £73.50 To find out whether outlet villages really you’re absolutely sure about the size, fit and can provide big savings, we compared the feel of items, you may be disappointed with cost of 18 items (see ‘Our research’, below what arrives on your doorstep – see our you won’t find in their regular shops. right), ranging from Calvin Klein boxer ‘Checklist’, p15, for more about your rights Items sold in Gap Outlet stores are produced shorts to a Le Creuset casserole dish. The when shopping online. for the outlet shops in the US, so the result? We found an average discount in designs may differ from those found on the outlet stores of around 30 per cent com- What to buy UK high street. Gap Outlet clothes also have pared with the lowest prices in the respec- You may not find exactly the same items at a different label – look for three small tive brands’ own stores (for example, Levi’s outlet villages as you would on the high squares under the usual Gap logo. Store and Niketown) and in department street. Some retailers, including Marks & Other shops sell seconds (these are often stores, including Which? members’ Spencer, have ‘outlet exclusive’ lines that items that have cosmetic damage or defects favourite, John Lewis. and can’t be sold in regular stores) or OUR RESEARCH end-of-line merchandise. Special savings In August 2007, we visited the Swindon Designer Outlet In our survey (see ‘Our research’, left) you One bargain deserving a special mention and , near Oxford, and compared prices told us that the main reason you visit out- was a pure cashmere Pringle crew-neck of selected items with the prices of identical or near- let villages is to buy designer and branded jumper, found in a variety of colours and identical items on sale in high-street shops in central goods more cheaply than on the high sizes at Bicester Village for just £99. This is London. We identified the cheapest online prices using street, although a fifth of you think outlet a 56 per cent discount on the price of a sim- comparison websites www.pricerunner.co.uk and villages also offer an enjoyable day out. ilar design on the high street and online. www.google.co.uk/products Adult clothes top the list of the things you Also at Bicester we spotted bath and shower In July and August 2007, 1,878 Which? online panel said you buy – two thirds of you mainly buy gel from luxury toiletries brand Molton members also completed a survey on outlet shopping these at outlet villages. Shoes, sportswear, Brown for £10.50 – that’s 30 per cent villages. Thanks to all who took part. children’s clothes, luggage and home and

cheaper than at John Lewis on London’s kitchenware are other popular purchases. ROB UNDERDOWN FOWLER, MATT PHOTOGRAPHY 12 l December 2007 www.which.co.uk OUTLET VILLAGES

RALPH LAUREN SLIM-FIT POLO SHIRT High street £55 Most outlet villages are dominated by KNOW YOUR RIGHTS Online £22 clothing and footwear. As you’re unlikely to Outlet £40 find the most up-to-the-minute fashions, Get your free guide it’s best to stock up on things in neutral to consumer rights colours that barely change from season to Make sure that you and your season, such as shoes and clothes for family don’t get ripped off when work and classic items, like Fred Perry or buying goods and services by Ralph Lauren polo shirts, Clarks shoes and going to www.which.co.uk/ Levi’s 501 jeans. Clothes for babies and onlineguides and downloading infants, who grow quickly and don’t really our free consumer rights guide. care about cutting-edge fashion, are another good buy. Also consider sportswear, and clothes and equipment for outdoor pursuits. These KARRIMOR LYNX 65- are usually items with functional designs LITRE RUCKSACKa that change little – after all, does it really High street £75 matter if you’re not wearing the very latest Online £58.45 colours when you’re sweating it out in the Outlet £52.50 gym or keeping warm up on a cold moun- a Similar model pictured for tainside? Finally, homeware and luggage, illustration only from brands like Le Creuset and Samsonite, can be worth seeking out, too. Should you go to an outlet? In our survey of Which? members (see ‘Our research’, opposite), around a quarter of you visit an outlet village once or twice a week for a more relaxing shop and better year; 9 per cent more than once every six choice of goods. If you’re after a particular months; and a shopaholic 2 per cent of you item, phone ahead to check stock levels. TOTAL COST OF 18 ITEMS go at least once a month. As for everyone Sales at outlet villages tend to happen at the High street £1,148.98 else, ifyou enjoy shopping, have an eye for same time as traditional high-street sales, Online (inc p&p) £956.71a a bargain and don’t mind not owning the such as the new year and over summer. very latest fashions in clothes or homeware, You can use our map on p15 to find the Outlet village £761.98 an outlet village could help you save money. village nearest to you, and follow the tips in a Two of our 18 items couldn’t be bought online Just like the high street, outlet villages are our ‘Checklist’, p15, to help you make the busier at weekends, so try to visit during the most of your trip.

THE OUTLET ENTHUSIAST

Anluise Hamilton Bruce 62, retired ‘I’ve made a 200-mile ‘I find shopping at example – that you round trip before to get outlet villages so can’t get on the high to a good outlet village,’ relaxing compared with street any more. says Anluise, from the high street,’ Anluise ‘If there is a Cumbria, who’s been told us. ‘They’re always disadvantage, it’s that shopping at outlet well planned, with outlet villages are often villages all over the plenty of places to sit in out-of-town locations country for almost down and rest or get and difficult to get to 15 years. something to eat. I go to without a car. But this In fact, Anluise was them mainly for clothes isn’t always a bad thing, working for Clarks – usually wardrobe as it means they attract when it turned its shoe basics that don’t date – slightly older shoppers factory in Street into and homeware. They than the high street, an outlet village (see often sell discontinued who don’t need to be ‘Where the bargains lines so they’re great bombarded with loud are’, p15, for more for replacing items – music every time they information). a broken plate, for walk into a shop.’ www.which.co.uk December 2007 l 13 Why people shop at outlet villages We visited the Swindon Designer Outlet to find out what shoppers think about outlet villages

‘It’s my first time at an outlet ‘I always come here when visiting village today. Having all the my granddad. It’s cheaper than designer shops under one roof is the high street and I’ve bought really good – I think I’ll buy a pair handbags here and lots of things of Nike trainers, and something for the home, particularly from from Gap for my son, Malaki.’ Denby and Le Creuset.’ Zizzi Gumede, Taunton Natalie Wallace, Surrey

‘We come every couple of months and usually spend more than £100 – we’ve already put some things in the car and come back for more! I’ve bought my son two pairs of trainers and some football boots for around £50. I’ve also bought myself two pairs of shoes, and on a previous visit I bought a dress for my sister’s wedding and paid only £20 when it was worth £60.’ Linda Parker, Reading

‘I’d come more often if I lived ‘It’s nice having all the shops in nearby. It’s a nice relaxed one place and the prices can be atmosphere here with no hustle good. I always check prices and bustle, but you have to expect before coming here as things are that what you find might not sometimes cheaper elsewhere, always be the height of fashion.’ particularly on the internet.’ Lorraine Keeble, Surrey Ian Smith, Andover

‘We were here last week and spent over £200. We bought a suit and a complete head- to-toe wedding outfit for our daughter. It’s more ‘I think it’s worth travelling the 40 or so minutes to get convenient and easier to here, and we’ve been many times. If you’re looking for walk around than the town something in particular, you’re probably better off going centre in Swindon, and we to the high street. But if you want a bit of a day out and usually go home with a nice potter around the shops, then it’s pretty good.’ something or other.’ Valerie Lombardi, Stroud Stan & Val Garner, Swindon PHOTOGRAPHY MIKE CHARITY PHOTOGRAPHY

14 l December 2007 www.which.co.uk OUTLET VILLAGES

Use our guide to locate Where the bargains are your nearest outlet village Checklist

The UK’s first outlet village opened in Make the most of outlet 1993. This was when shoe-manufacturer villages with our essential tips Clarks, inspired by the success of its ■ Seconds Inspect seconds to own factory shop and the popularity of ensure there are no significant outlet malls with consumers in the USA, defects, and don’t be afraid to ask for decided to convert its old shoe factory in a further discount. Under the Sale of Street, , into a 90-store outlet Goods Act, you can’t return seconds village, complete with paved walkways, if you were aware of the fault at the landscaped gardens, children’s play 1 time of purchase – but you can return areas and cafés. Today there are more them if you find a different fault. than 50 in the UK – our map shows the 2 ■ Your rights You have the same largest 24. legal rights when buying at an outlet village as you would on the high Livingston 3 4 street or anywhere else. The Sale 6 5 of Goods Act says that goods must 7 be of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose and as described. If they 8 9 are not, you may be entitled to a full refund, a repair, a replacement 10 12 or compensation. 11 ■ 14 13 Returning goods Check return York 15 policies. In addition to your statutory 16 rights, many retailers will happily exchange or refund unsuitable items, 17 but usually only at their outlet stores. 20 If you bought an item on a special 18 19 day trip, this could mean a long 21 journey back. 22 24 ■ Getting there If you can’t get 23 to an outlet village by car or local public transport, check with coach Ashford operators in your area to see whether they’re running any trips. Your local Contacts and key tourist information office may also be able to help. 1 Sterling Mills 01259 752100 13 East Midlands Designer Outlet 01773 545000 www.sterlingmills.com www.eastmidlandsdesigneroutlet.com ■ By car To cut down on any petrol 2 Livingston 01506 423600 14 Cheshire Oaks 0151 348 5600 and parking costs, drive to an outlet www.livingstondesigneroutlet.com www.cheshireoaksdesigneroutlet.com village with a group of friends. Gretna Gateway 01461 339100 Freeport Talke 01782 774113 ■ 3 www.gretnagateway.com 15 www.freeport-talke.com Insider info Nike trainers have a label inside showing the date (in 4 Royal Quays 0191 296 3743 16 Springfields 01775 760909 www.royalquays.outletcentre.co.uk www.springfieldsshopping.co.uk month/day/year format) that they Dalton Park 0191 526 6157 Bicester Village 01869 323200 were manufactured – useful for 5 www.dalton-park.co.uk 17 www.bicestervillage.com working out how current the style is. Junction One 028 9442 9111 Bridgend 01656 665700 6 www.junctionone.co.uk 18 www.bridgenddesigneroutlet.com ■ Online rights In addition to your statutory rights, under the Distance 7 The Outlet (Bridgewater Park) 19 Hatfield Galleria 01707 256860 028 4062 5151; www.the-outlet.co.uk www.thegalleria.co.uk Selling Regulations online retailers Freeport Fleetwood 01253 877377 Freeport Braintree 01376 348867 are obliged to take unwanted items 8 www.freeport-fleetwood.com 20 www.freeport-braintree.com back within seven working days – York 01904 682700 Swindon Designer Outlet 01793 507600 9 www.yorkdesigneroutlet.com 21 www.swindondesigneroutlet.com starting the day after you receive the 10 Junction 32 01977 520153 22 Clarks Village 01458 840064 goods. You may have to pay postage, www.junction32.com www.clarksvillage.co.uk depending on the site’s terms and 11 The Lowry Designer Outlet 0161 848 1850 23 Whiteley Village 01489 886886 conditions, and the seller doesn’t www.lowryoutletmall.com www.whiteleyvillage.com Lakeside Village 01302 366444 Ashford 01233 895900 have to take back unwanted 12 www.lakeside-village.co.uk 24 www.ashforddesigneroutlet.com perishable goods, like food or flowers.

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