How Much Will I Save At A Designer Outlet

Why do UK electrical outlets have a switch and only one outlet per location? How far apart are these located? What do you plug in that really needs a wall-mounted switch? Is it a mandatory regulatory requirement?

It is a false premise.  Most UK socket-outlets are double.  Although switched socket-outlets are in the majority, unswitched sockets are readily available, perfectly legal, and not uncommon. There is a misconception that the switch has something to do with safety, but the only real safety function for a switch was in the days of DC mains supplies.When a plug is removed from a DC socket there is a tendency to arc, to combat this, early British plugs were equipped with enlarged discs to shield the hand from the arc flash during withdrawal, these were termed "handshields".  Later,   the incorporation of toggle switches (with "snap action" and double break mechanisms greatly reduce arcing),  in sockets became a common way of combatting the problem.  The switch was set on only after the plug was inserted, and off before withdrawal.  To improve this still further there were a number of interlocked socket-outlets developed in Britain, these would not allow plug insertion or withdrawal unless the switch was off, thus handshields became obsolete.The socket in the photograph is to British Standard 1363 which was originally introduced in 1947.  Because DC mains supplies had become obsolescent, it was decided that BS 1363 would be for AC only, and therefore it was not necessary to incorporate switches into the new sockets.  However, consumers had become familiar with switched sockets and appreciated the convenience of them, so demand for a switched version of BS 1363 was high.  This demand was initially satisfied by non-standard switched socket-outlets which accepted BS 1363 plugs, but could not be sold as BS 1363 sockets.  In 1957 the situation was regularized with the introduction of a new, separate, standard:  BS 2814:1957 "Two-pole and earthing-pin flush-mounted 13-Amp switch socket-outlets for A.C. circuits up to 250 Volts".  It was not, however, until 1967 that switched sockets were introduced into the main standard: BS 1363:1967 "Specification for 13A plugs, switched and unswitched socket-outlets and boxes".There is no regulation as to how many or how close sockets must be installed in a British home, but there are recommendations for the number which depend on the size  and purpose of the room.

How are goods like clothes and shoes cheaper in factory outlets than in showrooms? Are they of inferior quality in factory outlets? How does this workout for brands like reebok, nike etc.?

First, it is important to note that trading regulations around the world differ.   As such, in the US it is legally acceptable to sell off-price, off-quality branded merchandise whereas in other countries it might be more strictly regulated.  In the US, the roots of the outlet channel were predominately drawn towards a  clearance vehicle for residual end of season, overstocked, and damage/refurbished branded product.  In this regard, these goods are more consistent with the brand quality you may have come to know. In more recent times (last 15+ years), there has been a seismic shift, particularly in the US, towards producing branded apparel product at a lower price with much lower quality.   For example, in apparel they will use brand designs and substitute with cheaper raw materials, finishing, and factories to achieve the cheapest cost and maximum margins.   All of this is complimented with extensive and ongoing promotions to drive purchase and transaction size.  So to answer your question, yes you are largely getting a lower quality inferior product in outlet channels at a cheaper price.Additionally, the percentage of lower quality produced goods vs. clearance goods will vary by brand but those that are most profitable are heavily weighted if not almost entirely towards a produced model.   It is also quite common for a brand at a corporate level to disproportionately rely on earnings in this channel to fuel the corporate bottom line.  Interestingly enough, in some countries it is not legal to misrepresent and sell like for like branded product to customers with lower quality at a lower price in the outlet channel.