Roubaix built its economy on wool and textile manufacturing through the 19th and early 20th centuries, and L’Usine Roubaix carries that tradition forward directly: opened in 1984 inside the former Motte-Bossut velvet mill, it was the first factory outlet centre in Europe, bringing roughly 25 existing factory shops together on one site. Around 85 shops trade there today, including a Galeries Lafayette multi-brand outlet store.
Nike and Adidas hold sportswear positions. Levi’s and Lee Cooper cover denim. Damart, a Roubaix-founded thermal underwear and knitwear brand established in 1953, has particular local relevance. Descamps covers premium bed linen and home textiles. Yves Delorme covers luxury home textiles. IKKS, Promod, Pimkie, Etam Lingerie, Triumph and RougeGorge cover mainstream and specialist fashion. Oxbow and Quiksilver serve the surf and outdoor category. Catimini and Orchestra cover children’s fashion. Skechers covers footwear.
L’Usine Roubaix can be reached from central Roubaix and Lille by metro to Eurotéléport followed by a connecting bus, linking it to the cross-border catchment from Mouscron and Tournai in Belgium. Its location close to the Belgian border also makes the centre accessible to shoppers from Mouscron and Tournai.
Damart, founded in Roubaix in 1953 by the Despature family, gives the tenant mix a direct link to the city’s textile heritage; the family’s business also grew into one of France’s largest mail-order fashion companies.
