Discount designer brand stores are popping up all over Shanghai. This May the latest designer brand store, cunningly named Shanghai Outlets, opened to take on its forerunner. Let's take a look and see if it's any different from the others.

Shanghai Outlets

Located in Shanghai's Qingpu suburb, Outlets is actually a square rather than a store. It's divided into two parts, Districts A and B.

Top brand international luxury goods such as Cerruti 1881, Hugo Boss, Dunhill and Zegna are are located in District A and most are discounted by 40 percent.

In District B, you'll find less expensive but equally popular brands, like Sisley, Esprit, Nike and Adidas. Although they have the same discounts as the top brands, not all customers are impressed. "Their downtown stores have the same discounts regularly, sometimes the price is even lower," says one customer.

The most popular stores are sportswear brands Nike and Adidas.

Shopping here is a pleasure and Shanghai Outlets has much larger changing rooms than downtown stores with no queues.

Location: Songzhong Road, Zhaoxiang Town, Qingpu District, 26km from Shanghai People's Square

Shanghai Outlet

Shanghai Outlet was the first outlet store in Shanghai and it has been criticized since it opened in 2003 for a lack of big brands and low discounts. Almost three years on, the situation is even worse.

They don't stock Versace, Bally or Armani, and instead sell unfamiliar brands, some of which have very similar names to top brands like T&G (D&G).

Location: No.1475, Jinshangjiang Road

Shanghai Les Charmes Outlet Boutique

Les Charmes Outlet is in Shanghai Pudong International Airport and is popular with expats, thanks to recommendations in many travel guidebooks.

The store has three areas for luxury brands, casual wear and sports wear. Givenchy business suits are discounted by 70 percent. Zegna Outlet Store, has many laowai (foreign) customers. Canali has 70 percent discounts as well - maybe the lowest in Shanghai.

The middle part is filled with casual brands, such as Replay and Miss Sixty, which are famous for jeans. Some jeans are discounted by as much as 90 percent and sell out quickly.

Nike, Adidas and Reebok are discounted by 50-70 percent, like in other discount stores.

Location: Second floor of Pudong International Airport.

Foxtown

Foxtown now has brands that are more casual. Esprit, Lacoste, CK underwear, Nike and Adidas feature on the over-filled racks.

It's downtown Shanghai makes it popular.

Location: No.899 Linlin Road, Xuhui District (Close to Xujiahui, famous shopping area.)