VIA Outlets grows portfolio by 30 percent in 2026 after two acquisitions

Dutch outlet centre operator VIA Outlets has increased the total gross lettable area (GLA) of its portfolio by 30 percent year-on-year in 2026. The growth follows two acquisitions, in Italy and Spain, and the opening of an extension at Landquart Fashion Outlet in Switzerland, with a further expansion planned in Germany.

Following the acquisitions of Scalo Milano Outlet & More and The Outlet Stores Alicante, the company now operates 13 premium fashion outlet centres in ten European countries, with a total GLA of 370,000 square metres. The Milan deal marked its entry into Italy, while Alicante strengthens its position in the Iberian market. According to VIA Outlets, both centres have been integrated into the portfolio and their remodelling plans are now moving into the next phase.

Zweibrücken expansion approved

VIA Outlets has received final planning approval to expand Zweibrücken Fashion Outlet in Germany, located near the borders with France and Luxembourg. The project will add 7,450 square metres of GLA, bringing the centre to approximately 38,920 square metres. The extra space is intended for more premium and international brands and to attract more visitors from Germany and neighbouring countries.

The company also continues to remerchandise its existing centres. So far this year, it has completed more than 300 leasing transactions, with over 80 new brands joining its European portfolio.

In April, VIA Outlets opened the extension of Landquart Fashion Outlet, adding more than 4,800 square metres of retail space and increasing the centre's GLA by 22 percent. This followed the 6,500 square metre expansion of Vila do Conde Porto Fashion Outlet in Portugal at the end of 2025. Both projects have been shortlisted in the 'Best Refurbishment Project' category of the MAPIC Awards, with the winner to be announced in Cannes on November 3, 2026.

"Our strategy is to identify high-potential destinations and elevate them through targeted investment, leasing expertise, and operational excellence," said Johan Caspar Bergenthal, COO of VIA Outlets. "In 2026, we integrated our newly acquired centres in Milan and Alicante, opened the Landquart Fashion Outlet expansion, and secured approval for Zweibrücken Fashion Outlet's next phase, demonstrating our ability to deliver sustainable growth across the portfolio."

Debut green bond

In October, VIA Outlets made its debut on the Swiss franc bond market with a five-year senior unsecured green bond worth 170 million Swiss francs. The company says the issuance attracted strong institutional demand and diversifies its funding base.

Under its Green Finance Framework, an amount equal to the net proceeds will be allocated to eligible green projects, while the added liquidity supports further acquisitions, expansions and redevelopments.

VIA Outlets, which is wholly owned by Dutch institutional investor APG, also retained its top position in the 'European Retail' category of the Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark (GRESB) in 2026. With a score of 97 out of 100, it earned a 5-Star rating for the seventh consecutive year.