Discount malls have finally come to Italy. The first large mall opened in Serravalle Scrivia, near Alessandria (Torino) in 2001. The owner, Baa Macarthur Glen plans four more such malls in Italy. Serravalle will have 180 shops, restaurants, play park for the children, and 3,000 free parking places. Two more malls, listed below, have recently opened.

We can't possibly include all the stores here but have listed the names we find most interesting. The list is organized alphabetically by location.

Most factory outlet stores are located in the north of Italy, around Milan, Novara, Biella, and in the area around Florence. Before making a special excursion please call or ask your hotel's concierge to phone for precise directions and opening hours. Outlets can change address or close, hours may change, and it's just not possible to keep this page updated. Your comments and suggestions are welcome. Try to avoid Saturday afternoons and Sunday when the locals do their shopping and you risk waiting in line to enter. And remember, it's the luck of the draw. You could be lucky and find that dream item at a bargain price, or it might not be your day. Don't buy something just because you made the trip and can't go home empty-handed!

THE MALL OUTLET CENTER (near Florence)
Via Europa 8, , Localita' Leccio, 50060
We had heard that Gucci was planning to expand its outlet store business but boss Domenico Sole did not tell us how much when we asked last year. Since fully or partly acquiring Yves St. Laurent, Bottega Veneta, Giorgio Armani, Loro Piana, and Sergio Rossi (high fashion shoes) they have expanded the Gucci outlet store and included these other brands. More brands are said to be coming (does that mean Gucci is on a buying spree?). Emporio Armani as well as Armani are represented. Florence Information Centre: Tel: 39-055-8657775, 39-055-8657801, e-mail e-mail There's a nice snack bar on the premises.
To get there by car from Milan or Rome: Take the A1 Autostrada towards Florence and take the exit marked Incisa. Stay on your right towards Pontassieve until you reach Leccio. Soon after passing the center of Leccio, The Mall will be on the left.

RJ OUTLET (between Milan and Bergamo)
Via G.Galilei, 2, Orio al Serio (Bergamo) opposite the airport. Tel: 39-035-4522316
This is a small mall but includes a lot of big names and is 25 minutes by car from Milan. The owner buys end-of=season clothes from deluxe boutiques throughout the north of Italy. Although he does not sell directly from his web it serves to take a look at the merchandise that is being offered. Available also in English. Some brands: Dolce & Gabbana, Prada, Armani Jeans, Blumarine, Cavalli, Chloe', Fendi, Gucci, L'Altra Moda, Miu Miu (Prada's less expensive line), Moschino, Versace Couture. Hous: Monday 14-19:30, Tuesday through Saturday 10-19:30.

SERRAVALLE SCRIVIA (Alessandria)
Via della Moda 1, Serravalle
Located about halfway between Milan (80 kilometers) and Genoa (50 kilometers) near the autoroute exit of Serravalle, from there follow the directions for Novi, the mall appears after about two kilometers. The first discount mall in Italy, Serravalle Srivia was built by a joint effort of BAA McArthur Glen and Fingen Real Estate of Florence. The attractive architecture reflects the local buildings, but buyers will be more interested in the shops, all run by the manufacturers. Some 62 stores. Here are some names: Cacharel, Etro, Marina Yachting, Nike, Bassetti, Stefanel, Sergio Tacchini, Samsonite, Burberry, Armani, Valextra, Versace, Ralph Lauren, and Levis. Other malls in Italy planned are Barberino del Mugello (Florence), Rome, and a city in the south. Discounts run from 30 to 50% but can increase during sale times. There's a bar, restaurant, and play area for children. Hours: 10-19, June through September 10-21. Tel: 0143-686003.

ANCONA

Byblos
Via Achille Barilati 8, tel: 071 8071
Men's a women's clothes, end of season models.

Genny Moda
S.S. Adriatica 16, tel: 071 8071
Discounts up to 75% on womens clothes from previous seasons, large selection, sizes up to 48 (16 USA).

BIELLA

Ermenegildo Zegna
Bolgheri, 31 Strada Trossi, Località Verrone, Tel: 015-255-8382

Artema
Strada Trossi 31, Verrone, tel: 015 2558382, open 9 to 12:30, 14:30 to 19, closed Monday
They have a good selection of clothe by Ermenegildo Zegna in fine fabrics.

Fila
Via Cesare Battisti 28, tel: 015-34141, open Monday 15-19, Tuesday-Saturday 9-12, 15-19
This well-known manufacturer of Italian sportswear has a factory outlet with a large selection as well as a regular store next door, all with good discounts. Ski wear, tennis wear, outerwear plus.

Centrovendita Elbi
Via Quintino Sella 9, (Valdengo), tel: 015 881976
Knitters will find a large selection of yarn made by Crosa, one of the biggest names. From 50 to 66% off. Hours are 9 to 12 and 14:30 to 19.

Guabello Spa
4 Via XXIV Maggio, Mongrand, Biella, tel: 015 256-5111

Lanificio Fratelli Cerruti
Via Cernaia 40, tel: 015-35911
Men's and women's classic clothes with 30% discount. They have cashmere, too. Hours 9-12:30, 15-19.

Fred Perry
Strada Antica per Benna 1, (Verrone), tel: 015 2558319. Open 9:15 to 12:30, 15 to 19, closed Monday morning
They also carry Ungaro, sportswear and other clothes mostly for women, but some for men and children with discounts up to 80%.

BORGOSESIA (near Novara)

Agnona
Via Casazza 7, tel: 0163-202111, fax: 0163-202214
One of the best-known Italian manufacturers of woolens, this factory outlet sells blankets and garments with slight flaws at 50% off retail price.

BRA

Faber
Strada San Matteo a/C Bra Tel: 0172-423636
Manufacturer of womens underwear.

CARPI (near Modena)

 Tac Ceramiche Novita'
Viale del Commercio 21/b, tel: 059 695969
Ceramics for the home and for gifts, made on the premises. Open 9 to 12:30 and 15 to 18.

Avirex
Via Carlo Marx 131, tel: 059 641365
All kinds of sportswear, chino pants, and aviation-related gear. Open Monday through Friday 16:00-19:30, Saturday 09:00-13:00 and 16:00-19:30.

CASETTE D'ETE (Ascoli Piceno)
 
Diego della Valle
Corso Garibaldi 134, tel: 0734 871671
On the autostrada for Aquila exit at Civitanova Marche, take the superstrada for Macerata, exit at Montecesero, follow road to San Elipido, from there to Casette d'Ete. This factory outlet shop carries the Tod's sport shoes for men and women as well as the women's lines Deva and Diego Della Valle, discounts up to 50% on last season's shoes. Be sure to try on the shoes and check carefully. Hours: Monday through Friday 17-19:45, Saturday 8:40 to 11:55 and 14:30 to 17:45.

CASTEGGIO (near Pavia)
 
Tanino Crisci Srl
Via Garibaldi 9, 27045, tel: 0383 82254, fax: 805448
Closed Monday, open Tuesday through Friday 15:30-19:30, Saturday 9:30-12:30, 15:30-19:30, Sunday 9:30-12:30. Email: taninocrisci@taninocrisci.it. Men and Women's shoes.

CHIETI
 
Richard Ginori
Via Erasmo Piaggio 56, tel.: 0871 560864 (See also Ginori, Florence)
This is one of Italy's most famous manufacturers of porcelain and ceramics.

COMO

Albisetti
Via Nazionale 3, (Vertemate), tel: 031 901190
Silk is sold by the yard, you'll also find clothing. Don't ignore the seconds. Hours: 9:30 to 12:30, 14 to 19:30.

Giorgio Armani
On the road to Bergamo at the crossroads of Vertemate and Minoprio, call for more precise directions, tel: 031 887373, has seconds from the Armani and Emporio Armani collections. Dresses and suits from $ 85 to $ 450, skirts and pants around $ 50.

Duecci
Statale dei Giovi 3-5 (Casnate con Bernate), tel: 031 564515
Large packages of cookies, lemon and orange juice, candies and various sweets. Hours: 9 to 12, 15 to 19:15.

Emporio della Seta
Via Canturina 190, Como, tel: 031-591420
A good variety of the famous silk prints made in the Como area with fabrics, scarves and shawls designed by such names as Genny, Ungaro, Lacroix, and many others. Slightly flawed (but usually undetectable) at 40% discount from retail prices. Examples: Scarf, $30, necktie $20. Even higher discounts in July and January.

Ratti Sete
Via Cernobbio 19, tel: 031 233262, Open 9-12:30, 14-18
Beautiful silks for the home as well as name scarves and shawls, slight defects, discounts to 40%.

Scampoli e 1000 Cose Moda
Via Rimenbranze 4, (Como Breccia) tel: 031 507186
Fabrics for home sewers, pre-cut, good prices. Hours: 9 to 12:30, 15:30 to 17:30.

CUNEO

Gruppo Vestebene
Via S. Barbara 11, Alba, tel: 0173 299311
Open 8:30 to 12, 15 to 19:30, closed Monday morning, also at Via S. Margherita 23, Alba, tel: 0173 299444, open 9 to 12:30, 14:30 to 19. This factory manufactures women's wear for a large number of houses including Daniel Hechter, and Krizia Poi.

CUVEGLIO

Bassetti
Via Provinciale 5, tel: 0332 624154

GALLIATE

Bassetti
Via Garibaldi 10, tel: 0321 865285

INCISA (Florence)

Gucci
Reggello, Localita' Leccio, 50066
This is the Gucci part of the Gucci Mall described at the top of the page. Open Sunday, closed Tuesday, open at lunchtime. This large, spacious, modern store has Gucci products from the previous seasons at 30 to 40% off. During sales season (mid-January to mid-February and mid-July and August) savings can be even higher. Examples: Scarves around $220, belts from $50 to $80, Ties around $45, depending on the exchange. The sales people are very friendly and helpful, and if you spend more than $ 150 you're entitled to the "detaxe" if you take your goodies outside the European common market which adds another 20% savings. Crocodile handbags were around $ 1,200 and up, wallets around $ 200, a real bargain! The Prada outlet is about a half-hour's drive, worth hitting both stores if you're in the area.

MODENA
 
Il Marchese Coccapani
Via Modena-Carpi 290 (Solera), tel: 059 5683008
Go in the back to find young clothes for women at a huge discount, mini skirts for $15, sweaters for $50.

MONTEVARCHI

Prada
S.S. 67, Via Aretina 63, Levanelle, 52025, tel: 055 9789188 (you'll get a recorded message in Italian giving the opening days and hours).
Most of the people at Prada including their press office are rather difficult to deal with so the courtesy and attention of the sales people here was a pleasant surprise. The spacious modern store is divided into men's and women's sections as well as another Prada line, Miu Miu, and stocks clothes and accessories from the past seasons. There are shoes just under $100 depending on the exchange and handbags from $160 to $300. Prices on some items can be lower during sales tikmes, I bought a pair of classic Prada moccasins for my daughter for $ 45, and fashionable high-heeled pumps with square toes for $ 50, you can't beat those prices! The Gucci outlet (see Incisa) is half an hour's drive from here.

NOVARA
 
Alessi
Via Alessi 6, Omegna Crusinallo, tel: 0323 6511
Also open Saturday. This factory makes designer kitchenware including that famous teakettle with the little birdie in the spout. Articles with slight defects come at a 40% discount and designers include Aldo Rossi and Richard Sapper.

Bolgheri
Via Novara 71, (Oleggio), tel: 0321 922450, open 9:30 to 13, 14:30 to 19, closed Tuesday afternoon
There's a very large selection of raincoats, neckties, and other clothes from names such as Aquascutum, Church's, Dunhill, Givenchy, Karl Lagerfeld, Les Copains, and Ermenegildo Zegna. Discounts up to 50%.

Confezione MVD
Via Massimo d'Azeglio 16, Ghemme, tel: (0163) 840450, closed Tuesday, open Monday through Friday 16:30 to 19:30, Saturday 9:30 to 12
Max Mara dresses, coats, and suits for women in a good variety of sizes.

Zamasport
Via Belletti 10, tel: 0321 4261, open 15-18, closed Monday
Clothes from Gucci, Romeo Gigli, and Callaghan.

NOVE (between Vicenza and Venice)

Belfe
Via delle Ceramiche 76, tel: 0424 75058
open 9 to 12:30, 15 to 19:30. Active sportswear at discounts up to 40%.

La Ceramica VBC
Via Molini 45, tel:0424 590026, fax: 0424 829967
Open Monday through Friday from 8am to noon, 1:30 pm to 6pm, Saturday 8am to noon. Both shops sell their ceramics to stores such as Bloomingdale's and Macy's in the U.S. They specialize in platters, bowls, pitchers, and tea sets featuring fruits, flowers and seafood decorations. Items are seconds but in most cases you'll have a hard time spotting the defects.

Ceramiche Artistiche Ancora
Via Martini 26/28, tel: 0424 590023 or 0424 828210, fax:0424 829967
Open Monday through Friday from 8am to noon, 1:30 pm to 6pm, Saturday 8am to noon.

PADERNO D'ADDA
 
Imec
Piazza Nino Colnaghi 1, tel: 039 9515125
Underwear for men and women.

PADOVA (30 kilometers from Venice)
 
Tessuti Manfrotto
Via Andrea Gritti 36 (near Piazza Erbe) 35122, tel: 049 655435
This is not an official factory outlet store, but definitely worth a visit. Three brothers, Egidio, Alberto, and Francesco along with mother Adele sell samples of silk, linen, velvet, and brocade in a vast cave like Ali Baba's, every kind of fabric you can imagine including haute couture, sold at fire sale prices.

PALERMO

De Simone
Largo Niccolo` San Severino 24, tel: 091 363190
Traditional Sicilian artistic ceramics with up to 30% discounts. Also beautiful hand-painted tiles.

PARABIAGO

Fratelli Rossetti
Via Cantu` 24, 20015 Parabiago Milano, Tel: 0331-552226 Fax: 0331-555914
The line here ranges from classic to the current fashion, with good quality and prices. Moccasins, boots, day and evening shoes. There are a number of shoe factories around Parabiago so you may want to enquire about other brands you like.

PAVIA
 
Conti Riso
Via de Scottis 12-26 (Candia, outside Pavia), tel: 0384 74009
You're in the middle of rice country here, and that's what you'll find at this factory store. All the varieties. Hours: Monday through Friday 14 to 18.

PERUGIA

Big Bertha Cashmere (Fernando Ciai)
Via Dell'Industria 19, 06087 Ponte San Giovanni (on the road from Perugia to Assisi), tel: 075-5997572, Fax:075 5997573
This company has been making cashmere for over 30 years and sells mostly through a catalog. Big selection of sizes, styles, and colors. They recently opened a retail store in Rome near Piazza del Popolo. Open Monday through Saturday 9-19:30, does not close at lunchtime.

Ellesse
Via Filippo Turati 22, Ellera Umbria (Perugia), Tel: 075-50391
Open Monday through Saturday, 9-13, 15-19:30. This factory outlet features a top Italian sportswear brand with discounts of 40% on all the goodies. On the Rome-Milan autostrada get off at Orte and take the superstrada for Perugia. Get off at Corciano, the Elesse factory is 500 meters from the exit.

PISTOIA
 
Pratesi
Via Montalbano 41, Casalguidi, tel: 0573-526462, Mon-Fri 9:30-12:30, 14:30-19, Saturday open mornings only.
You can't get better than Pratesi for the most beautiful bed linens and towels, even bathrobes. Seconds, but only an expert can find the flaws.

POMEZIA (near Rome)

Timberland
You'll find shoes, boots, accessories and clothes with the Timberland brand, which has been considered a "must" for Italian youth for over fifteen years.

QUARONA
 
Loro Piana
10 Corso Rolandi, Tel: 39-0163-201807
Fine wools and cashmeres in fabrics and clothes for men and women.

RESCALDINA (near Milan)
 
Bassetti
Via Legnano 24, tel: 0331 448512
Sheets, towels, bedspreads etc. for the home. (Also see listing under Milan for description).

Magnolia
Via Olona 8/6, tel: 0331 570111
Underwear for the whole family. They specialize in underwear and outerwear for infants. Knitwear with defects is sold by the kilo. Hours: 9:30 to 18:20, Saturday 9:30 to 12.

SARONNO

Lazzaroni
Via Gorizia 41-43, tel: 02 9670-1021
For lovers of liquers, you'll find amaretti, limoncini, nocini, as well as candies, gelatins, and marron glaces.

TERNI

Ellesse (Sportswear)
Via del Sersimone 2, tel: 39-0744 300088

URBINO
 
Piero Guidi
Via Provinciale-Schieti 184, 61029 Urbino Tel: -0722-59086, Fax: 0722 594005
Handbags and leather accessories, angels are a favorite motif.

VARESE

Bellora Giuseppe
Via Cantu` and Via XXV Luglio 11, Fagnano Olona, tel: 0331 619641, Tuesday to Saturday, 8:30-12:30 and 15-19
Best known for their waffle-weave cotton bathrobes which come with a 70% discount. This elegant outlet store sells household fabrics of their own production and French imports. Seconds have good prices, as well as fabric sold by the kilo.

Somma
Via Stazione 123, Mornago, tel: 0331 900111 and Via Sfondrati 1, Somma Lombardo, tel: 0331 256521, Tuesday to Saturday, 9-12, 15-19:30
Wool blankets, bedspreads, quilts, end-of-season or slightly flawed. Example, an alpaca blanket, second choice, for $70.

T&J Vestor
Via Roma 71/B, Golasecca, tel: 0331-958101, Tuesday to Saturday, 9-12:30, 14:30-18:30
Linens, rugs, bedspreads, and quilts, many designed by their inlaws the Missonis, second choice, 40% discount.

VERCELLI
 
Sambonet
Via XXVI April 62/64 , tel: 0161-5971
This factory outlet store sells seconds of Krupp and Sambonet stainless steel flatware and silverplate. Also pots and pans and trays. Discounts up to 50% off retail price.

VICENZA
 
Lanerossi
Viale dell'Industria 126, Schio, tel: 0445-693356, Monday-Saturday 10:30-13, 14:30-18, Saturday morning only.
Good wool blankets, second choice, at 40% discount.

Marzotto
Strada Statale 246, Trissino, tel: 0445 962300
Blankets and other home furnishings with up to 30% discount. Marzotto is one of the oldest textile factories and manufacturers in Italy. Two of the Marzotto brothers raced Ferraris back in the 1960s.

VIMERCATE
 
Bassetti
Via Bolzano 3, tel: 038 668634
Sheets, towels, bedspreads etc. for the home.

VITERBO (North of Rome)
 
Diesel (Surplus Diesel)
Via Ponticello 34, (Molvena), tel: (0424)411811
Is for the young and young-in-heart, lots of denim and thick-soled boots, a large selection of items for around $60. Diesel is one of the hottest brands for young people around the world.