NDR: Clothing quality in outlet centers often inferior
Research by NDR reveals that branded clothing in outlet centers can be of lower quality and not equivalent to regular retail items. The Center for Protection Against Unfair Competition deems discount pricing misleading.
A report by NDR, a German public broadcaster, has found that branded clothing sold in outlet centers is frequently of lower quality than comparable items found in regular retail stores. The investigation also discovered that some of these outlet products were never offered for sale in the brands' own shops.
Reporters purchased clothing from well-known brands at an outlet center for quality testing. Textile experts from the Academy of Fashion and Design in Hamburg examined the garments and found deficiencies. For example, the lining of UGG winter boots was less durable, and Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger polo shirts exhibited coarser fabric and poorer fit compared to standard offerings.
The findings raise concerns about the pricing practices in outlet centers. Peter Brammen, managing director of the Center for Protection Against Unfair Competition (Wettbewerbszentrale) in Hamburg, stated that if a product is marked with a higher original price that was never actually charged, it constitutes misleading advertising.
None of the affected clothing manufacturers have responded to NDR's findings.