CHINA. Factory outlet operator Foxtown-Switzerland is expanding its operations into China. It claims the new outlet centre in Shanghai will be the first of its kind in the country.
The shopping complex will be sited in Shanghai’s Songjang district and will include around 100 shops. It is due to open in May 2006.
Consultant Riccardo Faccoli – owner of Faccoli Consulting & Marketing, and a well-known figure in the duty free industry – said the property owner and developer, Studio Silvio Tarchini, is seeking additional tenants. The promoter hopes to attract among the tenant mix a “travel retail business specialist” to operate the perfumes & cosmetics, watches and fashion accessories business “either on a duty paid basis or as a downtown duty free shop for tourists”.
Foxtown describes itself as the number one factories store complex in Europe. Its new property will have an area of 40,000sq m and is positioned adjacent to one of Shanghai’s major highways “with a hinterland of about 40 million inhabitants”. Tourists will be a key target – Faccoli said that Shanghai is visited by about 62 million domestic tourists each year and 3 million from abroad.
The company claimed that several major fashion houses, including Gucci, Prada, Ferragamo, Versace, Etro and Dolce & Gabbana, have already shown “great interest” in opening outlets in the complex. “Negotiations are in progress with international brand owners from the fashion/casual wear industry and sports gear and sports clothing,” it said.
Inquiries should be made to Project Manager Andrea Gygax, Studio Silvio Tarchini, Centro Galleria 3, CH-6928 Manno/Switzerland. Telephone: + 41 91 610 8111; Fax: + 41 91 610 81 31.
The company said: “Based on the success of Foxtown in southern Switzerland, it is very likely that the Shanghai operation will soon become a shopping attraction both for Chinese and foreigners visiting China.”
The Swiss operation is located in Mendrisio, a major Swiss/Italian border crossing 45 minutes from Milan. More than 100 shops featuring established brand names are housed in a 25,000sq m shopping environment. Last year it generated sales of €100 million.
Among the 3 million customers are a large number of international tourists seeking bargains. “Japanese and other Asians vacationing in Milan traditionally include a visit to Foxtown-Switzerland,” said the company. Riccardo Faccoli sells travel retail merchandise there in the Free Shop Frontiera outlets.
