UK brands are being targeted for a new outlet mall proposed for Calais in France, which is due to open next to the existing Cite Europe Shopping Centre in November.
Landowner Eurotunnel has joined forces with Espace Expansion - part of the French property giant Unibail - and Concepts & Distribution, France's biggest outlet mall operator, to promote the 12,700 sq m scheme, designed by Jean-Michel Wilmotte.
Concepts & Distribution operates its outlet malls under the Marques Avenue brand. It developed its first scheme in Troyes in 1993, and has since added four further phases there, as well as opening three other outlet centres across France.
Concepts & Distribution managing director Maxime Peribere said the scheme will be aimed firmly at cross-channel shoppers. He pointed out that 11 million Shuttle passengers - 80 per cent of whom are from the UK - and 18 million ferry passengers pass the site every year.
Peribere said the tenant mix will be 80 per cent fashion - with haute couture brands accounting for about 15 per cent - and 20 per cent homewares.
'We are particularly keen to attract international sportswear brands,' he said. 'We are already talking to leading UK manufacturers.'
The two-storey scheme will look to build on the strong brand awareness in the UK of the Cite Europe centre, which is among the 10 biggest shopping malls in France.
Eurotunnel surveys found that 94 per cent of Shuttle customers are already aware of the Cite Europe scheme, and 83 per cent had shopped there previously.
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