News Room
For Immediate Release
Bucharest's Outlet Malls
By: Diana Drinceanu - Romanian Version 
March 25, 2008 - Adevarul
This type of stores is becoming a trend in Europe, also penetrating forcefully the Romanian market however it will be unlikely that they will become a tourist shopping destination for foreigners.
As many Romanians travel to foreign countries to buy much cheaper brand name clothing then from the local Romanian stores many travel agencies started to include in their offerings special packages for shopping tourism. The preferred destinations are cities like Vienna, Milano, Roma, Dubai and quite recently the US.
Even though Bucharest will start offering this year the first outlet type stores the shopping tourism will not be influenced, according to tourism operators. Alin Burcea, the director for Paralela 45 tourism agency stated for the Adevarul newspaper that “the advent of new outlets will not influence shopping tourism since the majority of those who engage in such activity are wealthy people who do not frequent such stores”.
According to Mr. Burcea the only store promotions similar to the outlet type that became a destination for Romanians is the Designer Outlet Parndorf, which is located at the Austrian border. “However most tourism agencies do not offer packages that include Parndorf” further stated Mr. Burcea.
Even though they introduce an attractive concept the outlets are stores where well know brands sell the last season items. Bucharest does not yet offer a shopping destination for the neighboring countries like Bulgaria and the Republic of Moldova. “A travel package targeted at the neighboring countries for individuals to come and shop in Romania is an interesting idea but unachievable in the next few years” Burcea stated.
Bucharest market of commercial spaces will offer 3 more destinations dedicated exclusively to outlets. The most recent announcement came from Mega Designer Outlet that will offer over 80 stores on a rentable area of 38,600 square meters. The outlet will be located at kilometer 13 on the Bucuresti-Pitesti highway, next to a similar type store, the Fashion House Outlet Center.