It is also known as a locus of factory-outlet stores, a huge aquarium and a reproduction of an 18th-century seaport village christened Olde Mistick.

The Gant store will be the largest free-standing unit in its chain, which includes a store on Bond Street in London, 35 factory-outlet stores in the United States and 400 shops in American department stores.

But thousands of consumers now dance to a different tune by shopping at off-price and factory-outlet stores, where markups are much lower and markdowns are not as widely expected later.

Jeffrey L. Johnson, a partner in Connecticut Factory Stores, for example, has proposed a 300,000-square-foot mall of factory-outlet stores in Clinton.

Where you and your wife did not err was in stocking up at that pharmacy as if it were a factory-outlet store.

The company orders directly from American suppliers of factory-outlet stores.

Its 18th-century houses and quaint shops border a still- picturesque Main Street, but it is now known for factory-outlet stores, a huge aquarium and a reproduction of an 18th-century seaport village.

A Map Most factory-outlet stores are situated in two main zones.

Silk in Italy Q. Are there any factory-outlet stores or other discount stores in Italy that sell the wonderful silk fabric that can be made into ties?

As a shopping center, the building would contain factory-outlet stores selling suits, coats, dresses, clothing accessories, furniture, china and domestic linens.