Mall vs. Outlet — What's the Difference?

Central location for community events and gatherings.

Attracts bargain hunters looking for specific brands.

Enclosed and climate-controlled for comfortable shopping.

Often part of an outlet mall with various brand outlets.

Offers a wide range of retail, dining, and leisure activities.

A store selling products directly from the manufacturer at reduced prices.

Designed for leisurely shopping experiences.

Located outside city centers, focusing on value shopping.

A large shopping center with a variety of stores and entertainment options.

Specializes in discounted, overstocked, or previous season's merchandise.

A large, often enclosed shopping complex containing various stores, businesses, and restaurants usually accessible by common passageways.

A passage for escape or exit; a vent.

A street lined with shops and closed to vehicles.

A means of release or gratification, as for energies, drives, or desires

A shady public walk or promenade.

A stream that flows out of a lake or pond.

Chiefly Upstate New York See median.

The point where a stream flows out of a lake or pond.

A pedestrianised street, especially a shopping precinct.

The mouth of a river where it flows into a larger body of water.

An enclosed shopping centre.

The point of intersection of a driveway and a road, especially in a rural area.

(obsolete) An alley where the game of pall mall was played.

A commercial market for goods or services.

A public walk; a level shaded walk, a promenade.

A store that sells the goods of a particular manufacturer or wholesaler.

A heavy wooden mallet or hammer used in the game of pall mall.

A receptacle, especially one mounted in a wall, that is connected to a power supply and equipped with a socket for a plug.

(obsolete) The game of polo.

A vent or similar passage to allow the escape of something.

(obsolete) An old game played with malls or mallets and balls; pall mall.

Something which allows for the release of one's desires.

To beat with a mall, or mallet; to beat with something heavy; to bruise

A river that runs out of a lake.

To build up with the development of shopping malls

A shop that sells the products of a particular manufacturer or supplier.

(informal) to shop at the mall

A wall-mounted device such as a socket or receptacle connected to an electrical system at which current is taken to supply utilization equipment or appliances.

A large heavy wooden beetle; a mallet for driving anything with force; a maul.

The place or opening by which anything is let out; a passage out; an exit; a vent.

A heavy blow.

To let out; to emit.

An old game played with malls or mallets and balls. See Pall-mall.

A place of business for retailing goods

A place where the game of mall was played. Hence: A public walk; a level shaded walk.

Receptacle providing a place in a wiring system where current can be taken to run electrical devices

Formerly, among Teutonic nations, a meeting of the notables of a state for the transaction of public business, such meeting being a modification of the ancient popular assembly.

An opening that permits escape or release;

A public access area containing a promenade for pedestrians; as, to gather near the Washington monument on the mall in Washington.

Activity that releases or expresses creative energy or emotion;

The paved or grassy strip between two roadways.

A shopping area with multiple shops and a concourse for predominantly or exclusively pedestrian use; in cities the concourse is usually a city street which may be temporarily or permamently closed to motor vehicles; in suburban areas, a mall is often located on a convenient highway, may be large, contained in one building or in multiple buildings connected by (usually covered) walkways. Also called shopping mall

To beat with a mall; to beat with something heavy; to bruise; to maul.

A public area set aside as a pedestrian walk

Mercantile establishment consisting of a carefully landscaped complex of shops representing leading merchandisers; usually includes restaurants and a convenient parking area; a modern version of the traditional marketplace;

Occasionally, outlet stores can be found within malls, but they are typically located in dedicated outlet malls or standalone locations.

The main difference is that malls offer a wide range of retail and entertainment options at standard prices, while outlets sell brand-specific merchandise at reduced prices.

Malls are in urban areas to attract a wide customer base, while outlets are on the outskirts to save on real estate costs and provide more space for parking.

Sometimes, but outlet products are often from previous seasons or overstock, whereas mall products are typically the latest offerings.

Products at outlets might be from previous seasons or have minor imperfections, while malls usually sell the latest, full-priced merchandise.

Enjoyment is subjective; outlets offer the thrill of bargain hunting, while malls provide a broader leisure experience with more amenities.

Products are cheaper at outlets because they often consist of overstock, last season's lines, or items with minor imperfections, allowing for discounted pricing.

Products sold at official brand outlets are genuine, but it's always good to buy from reputable outlet stores and check for signs of authenticity.

Outlets have a simpler layout to focus on the shopping experience and keep operational costs low, passing savings onto the consumer.

Yes, many brands offer online outlet stores, providing the same discounted prices as their physical outlet locations.