KATE Spade, Tommy Hilfiger, Polo Ralph Lauren and Coach are among a swag of up-market fashion brands opening their first WA standalone stores at Perth’s new Direct Factory Outlet.

The Sunday Times can reveal the list of 113 retailers at DFO Perth also includes Calvin Klein, Hugo Boss, Fossil, Oroton, M.J. Bale, Mimco and the True Alliance, a concept store featuring Lacoste, Ben Sherman, The North Face and Nautica.

The $150 million shopping destination promises WA fashion-lovers and bargain hunters savings of up to 70 per cent all year round on designer brands.

Construction is continuing at the Dunreath Drive site next to Perth Airport, with the shop fit-outs set to begin in coming weeks. The spring opening will create more than 600 jobs, with a jobs fair to be held on August 8 at Ascot Racecourse.

Camera Icon Perth’s DFO under construction. Credit: Justin Benson-Cooper

In a major shot of confidence to the State’s retail sector, centre manager Leanne Smith said DFO Perth was close to fully leased.

“It’s amazing in this economy, even over east it’s rare (to have a centre fully leased) and a real tribute to brands we’ll have,” Ms Smith said.

DFO won’t just be a dumping ground for old stock. On the east coast, some retailers are now even making clothing items especially for their DFO outlets.

“It’s not the old (factory outlet centre) model where things were in big bins,” she said.

“The fit-outs (at DFO) are beautiful and look like a traditional store and the standard is a lot higher than what you used to find and a totally different experience to other outlet shopping.”

Perth will be Australia’s sixth DFO centre, with the others in Brisbane, Sydney and three in Victoria. DFO’s tenants’ sales reportedly grew about 5 per cent last year at those centres.

Ms Smith said the offer of big savings meant direct fashion outlet stores tended to perform well compared overall declining retail sales.

“The retail model at the moment shows that you don’t have to wait long for a piece to be 30 per cent off, so why would you buy full price?” she said.

“I think with fashion these days the conversation is more about what people have saved, rather than what they’ve spent.

“That is where the DFO model will accentuate that tendency for customers to buy on sale. It comes down to value and the offering of up to 70 per cent off all year round.”

Camera Icon An artist’s impression of the new DFO being built near the Perth Airport. Credit: DFO

The Sunday Times this month visited Melbourne with three WA competition winners for a taste of the DFO shopping experience.

Armed with a $500 voucher each, Kylie Robinson, 41, from Beldon, Sarah Knoblauch, 32, from Banksia Grove, and Alizanne Finnemore, 22, from Madeley, spent the day at DFO South Wharf and experienced hundreds of dollars in savings at retailers including Witchery, Decjuba, Lorna Jane, Sass & Bide, Nike, Just Jeans, Seed, Guess and Portmans.

A new mum, Mrs Knoblauch was eyeing off a Kate Spade bag reduced from $799 to $350 and said she found the DFO especially good for shoes and accessories.

Mrs Robinson said she found the DFO great for kids’ shoes and was thrilled to pick up some Sass & Bide pieces to update her wardrobe.

Budget-conscious geology student Ali Finnemore picked up seven items for $33 at the Metalicus outlet, saving $300.

“I also bought a pair of Sass & Bide jeans that were reduced from $280 to $120,” she said. “I wouldn’t have bought them otherwise. That’s what great about the DFO — those pricier items that you normally couldn’t afford, you can get at a discount.”

The 24,000sqm centre, with parking for more than 1500 cars, is a joint venture by Australian retail property group Vicinity Centres and Perth Airport.

Other airport developments include a $55 million Costco warehouse. Located next door to the DFO, it’s expected to open in 2020.

Ms Smith said she expected a flurry of interest from tourists.