Link: https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3345736/chinas-shoppers-head-suburban-outlets-bright-spot-retail-property

For Steven Zhou, a 40-year-old Beijing office worker, suburban outlet stores offer a better shopping experience than urban malls, allowing him to escape the city, park his car without frustration and, most importantly, find good deals.
“Outlets offer a wide selection of brands, with attractive discounts, especially on sportswear,” Zhou said.
Across the mainland, outlets are expanding while traditional and luxury malls face high vacancy rates. Offering well-known brands at discounted prices,...

From China - South China Morning Post via This RSS Feed.

That makes sense. Outlet stores can be a good alternative to crowded city malls, especially if people are looking for better prices on well-known brands. The combination of discounts, easier parking and a more relaxed shopping environment probably explains why more shoppers are choosing outlets now.