The words ‘designer’ and ‘budget’ are rarely heard in the same sentence are they? However there are places to get your hands on designer branded items at reduced prices though, if you know where to look.
If you’re interested in buying designer items, then an outlet is your number one destination. We all want to make sure we’re getting the best deal, and saving as many of those hard-earned pennies as possible!
There are several designer outlets and boutiques across London selling branded items at a discount. If you have a favourite brand, it’s probably included at one of these stores!
Read on for tips and tricks on how to save even more on your next outlet shopping trip…
Why visit a designer outlet?
Designer outlets and factory stores tend to sell their excess stock at highly reduced prices – between 50% off, to up to 85% during sales and clearances. The stock being sold is often from previous seasons or may be reduced due to a surplus in production.
In certain cases, the designer items are specifically produced for selling at outlets. Some heavily discounted outlet items may also have very minor defects (although this will be stated) which are often unnoticeable, but result in prices being slashed.
If you are a fan of designer products, visiting an outlet can be a great way to get your hands on your favourite branded items for a fraction of the recommended retail price.
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Top Designer Outlets in London
Icon Outlet Shopping, 02 Greenwich
The Icon Outlet centre, which opened in 2018, is located in the 02 and is home to over 60 stores and boasts savings of up to 70% off the RRP of your favourite brands. As well as the opportunity for a spot of retail therapy, there are plenty of food and drink options, as well as a cinema, a bowling alley, and more.
Stores at the Icon Outlet include:
- Calvin Klein
- Ted Baker
- Radley
- Hobbes
- Levis
- Tommy Hilfiger
If you are an 02 priority member, check your app to see if you are granted any additional discounts on top of the outlet prices. Also, be sure to check the ‘offers’ page on the Icon Outlet website before you visit, for bonus discounts and deals!
Parking costs start from £6, or you can make the most of the excellent public transport links including tube, bus, cable car, and Uber boat.
Address: Icon Outlet at The O2, Peninsula Square, London SE10 0DX
Opening times: 10am-8pm (Sunday 10am- 7pm)
Head to the Icon Outlet website or instagram page for more information.
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London Designer Outlet, Wembley
With discounts of up to 85% of the retail price during sales, you are guaranteed to bag a bargain at the London Designer Outlet if you are savvy!
Download the ‘One Wembley Park’ app to access exclusive discounts, rewards, and experiences across the outlet, including invites to shopping events and even free yoga classes.
Stores at the London Designer Outlet include:
- Kurt Geiger
- Guess
- Nicce
- The North Face
- Skechers
Pay to park for as little as £2 per hour (but be sure to check if there are any events taking place at Wembley arena, as this can increase parking prices). Public transport links are great too; travel from central London to the outlet via tube in just 12 minutes!
Address: London Designer Outlet, Wembley Park Blvd, Wembley HA9 0RX
Opening times: 10am-8pm (Sunday 11am-7pm)
Head to the London Designer Outlet website or instagram page for more information.
Burberry Outlet, Hackney
There are three Burberry outlets across the UK (including Cheshire Oaks and Bicester Village), but this store in Hackney is the only London based store. Products are discounted at 20 to 50% off retail prices but expect to do a little digging for the best deals.
The outlet is located just a 6 minute walk away from Hackney Central station.
Address: Chatham Place Outlet, 29-31 Chatham Place, Hackney, E9 6LP
Opening times: 11am – 6pm
Check out the Burberry Outlet website ahead of your visit.
Paul Smith Sale Shop, Mayfair
This hidden gem is definitely worth a visit if you are a Paul Smith fan, or you have a man in your life who is! The store is relatively small and the selection limited, however, items are seriously reduced with discounts of up to 70%.
Address: 23 Avery Row, London, W1X 9HB
Opening times: 11am – 6pm (Sunday 12pm–6pm)
For more information, check out the outlet website.
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TK Maxx
An honorary mention on this list goes to TK Maxx! Although not technically a ‘designer outlet’, it’s a great option to pick up designer goods locally at reduced prices. It does require some patience and a little luck, but you truly never know what treasures you might find.
The trick is to pop in often as the stock is always changing! Look out for the ‘Gold Label’ range on their website too.
Designer Outlets within travelling distance from London
If you fancy a day trip away from the city to indulge in some retail therapy, there are some great options within travelling distance from the capital. These five outlets are all based within a two-hour journey from London:
McArthur Glen, Ashford (38 minutes from London)
Taking just over half an hour, you can pop on the train to McArthur Glen in Ashford, Kent for an afternoon of bargain hunting. A recent expansion project means this outlet is now home to over 130 brands under one roof, including Ralph Lauren, Armani, and Karl Lagerfeld.
There are also new installations to browse during your visit, such as Europe’s largest living wall featuring 120,000 plants, and a ‘Garden of Light’ exhibition.
If you are planning a visit, be sure to join the McArthur Glen club to be rewarded with 10% off your purchases!
Visit the McArthur Glen website or instagram page for more information.
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Bicester Village, Oxford (1 ½ hours from London)
Bicester Village is probably one of the most well-known UK designer outlets, and for good reason! With over 150 boutiques, this open air shopping centre has a quaint vibe that is popular with tourists and locals.
For discounts, sign up as a Village member for access to the Private Sale, and to earn rewards via the loyalty scheme.
Be sure to download the Airtime Rewards app before your next trip to Bicester too. Currently you can bag an additional 5% cashback across purchases at all stores in the village, on top of any in-store savings. Sweet!
Visit the Bicester Village website or instagram page for more information.
These three outlets are also within travelling distance from the big smoke:
- Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth (2 hours from London)
- Swindon Designer Outlet, Swindon (1 ½ hours from London)
- Braintree Village, Essex (1 ½ hours from London)
Tips for shopping at Designer Outlets in London
- Outlets often have email newsletters or loyalty clubs advertised on their websites. Sign up ahead of your visit for additional discounts
- Buy items and put them away for later – Christmas and birthday presents can be bought at peak clearance times and saved for the best reductions
- Compare prices; do your research and have a price in mind if you are buying a particularly expensive item to ensure you are actually getting a good deal
- Look out for special events held at the Outlets, such as ‘student nights’, or Black Friday sales for additional deals, discounts, and giveaways
My biggest tip however would be that just because an item is reduced or is on ‘sale’, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a bargain! It’s not a saving if you don’t need it, so always keep this in mind.
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Online Designer outlet options if you prefer to shop from home
If you prefer to hunt down your deals from the comfort of your sofa, here are a few websites to try for outlet designer goods:
You could also try buying pre-loved luxury, through websites such as Vestaire Collective or Designer Exchange.
Final Thoughts: Best Designer Outlets in London & the South East
I hope this guide to the best Designer Outlets in London is helpful for those wanting to look stylish on a budget. Be a savvy shopper, do your research ahead of your visit and you could bag some fabulous bargains!
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