TANGER FACTORY OUTLET CENTERS, INC.

NEWS RELEASE

FOR RELEASE:      IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:           Frank C. Marchisello, Jr.
                   (336) 834-6834

             TANGER REPORTS 5.3% INCREASE IN FFO PER SHARE FOR 2002
 Occupancy Increases to 98%, Representing 22nd Consecutive Year at or Above 95%

Greensboro,   NC,  February  26,  2003,  Tanger  Factory  Outlet  Centers,  Inc.
(NYSE:SKT)  today  reported  funds  from  operations  (FFO)  for the year  ended
December 31, 2002 of $41.7  million,  or $3.40 per share,  as compared to FFO of
$37.8  million,  or $3.23  per share  for  2001,  representing  a 5.3% per share
increase.  FFO for the fourth  quarter of 2002 was $13.1  million,  or $1.01 per
share,  as compared to FFO of $11.5  million,  or $0.98 per share for the fourth
quarter of 2001, representing a 3.1% per share increase. Net income for the year
ended  December 31, 2002 was $11.0 million,  or $1.08 per share,  as compared to
$7.1  million,  or $0.67 per  share,  for 2001,  representing  a 61.2% per share
increase.  Net income for the fourth quarter of 2002 was $5.2 million,  or $0.51
per share,  as  compared  to $3.1  million,  or $0.34 per share,  for the fourth
quarter of 2001, representing a 50.0% per share increase. All FFO and net income
per share amounts are on a diluted basis. A reconciliation  of net income to FFO
is presented on the supplemental information page of this press release.

Tanger achieved the following results for the year ended December 31, 2002:

o    98% year-end  portfolio  occupancy  rate (a 200 basis point  increase  over
     2001)

o    280 leases signed, totaling over one million square feet, achieving an 87.6
     % renewal  rate and a 1.7%  increase  in base rent,  on a cash  basis,  for
     re-tenanted and renewed space

o    Average initial base rent for new stores opened during 2002 was $16.54,  an
     increase of $1.47 or 9.8% over the tenants who closed during 2002

o    $1.5 billion in total tenant sales, equating to $294 per sq. ft. and a 1.4%
     increase on a same-space basis

o    Occupancy cost per square foot remained at an industry-leading low 7.2%

o    $42.2  million in 100%  leased,  quality  factory  outlet  shopping  center
     acquisitions

o    Completed  260,000 square foot factory  outlet  development in Myrtle Beach
     (opened 100% leased)

o    $21.6 million in non-core property dispositions

o    1.0  million   common   shares   issued  in  September   2002,   generating
     approximately $28 million in net proceeds

o    Lowered debt level by $13.2 million and lowered weighted average  borrowing
     cost by 70 basis points

o    Additional equity and lower debt significantly improved coverage ratios

o    $2.45 per  share in common  dividends  paid  (the 9th  consecutive  year of
     increased dividends)

o    72.0% FFO pay out ratio provides adequate coverage of the dividend

o    62.9% total return to shareholders (highest among all REITs included in the
     RMS Index)

                                       1


Stanley K. Tanger,  Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive  Officer,  stated,
"In 2002 we achieved a number of important  milestones for the company.  Through
our disciplined  investment  activity,  we continued to strategically expand our
portfolio  and further our  national  platform.  Additionally,  we  continued to
generate  solid  results with our core  portfolio,  achieving one of our highest
occupancy rates on record,  while  maintaining high tenant sales per square foot
and our renowned low tenant  occupancy cost. We also enhanced our franchise name
within  the outlet  industry  by rolling  out a number of  innovative  marketing
initiatives throughout the year." Mr. Tanger continued, "The fundamentals of the
outlet  industry  today are sound.  Total tenant sales continue to increase each
year and the  supply/demand  characteristics  remain in balance.  Looking ahead,
with our strong operating  platform and portfolio,  we are  well-positioned  for
continued growth in 2003 and beyond."

National  Platform  Continues  to  Drive  Solid  Operating  Results  and  Higher
Same-Space Sales

As of December 31, 2002,  Tanger's  portfolio totaled 34 factory outlet shopping
centers  diversified  across 21 states,  totaling 6.2 million  square feet.  The
company's broad geographic  representation and established brand name within the
factory  outlet  industry  continues to generate  solid  operating  results.  At
December 31, 2002,  the company's  portfolio was 98% leased,  representing a 200
basis point increase over its year-end 2001 occupancy rate of 96%.  Tanger's 98%
portfolio  occupancy rate also  represents the 22nd  consecutive  year since the
company commenced  operations in 1981 that it has achieved a year-end  portfolio
occupancy rate at or above 95%.

During 2002, the company  executed 280 leases totaling  approximately  1,048,000
square  feet.  The  company  achieved a  retention  rate of 87.6% with  existing
tenants for the year and  achieved a 1.7%  increase  in base rental  revenue per
square foot, on a cash basis,  for  re-tenanted  and renewed space.  The average
initial base rent for new stores opened  during 2002 was $16.54,  an increase of
$1.47 or 9.8% over the tenants who closed.  As a result,  the company's  average
base rental  income per square foot  increased to $14.44 per foot as of December
31, 2002 compared to $14.33 per foot at year-end 2001. The company  continues to
derive its rental income from a diverse group of retailers with no single tenant
representing more than 6.7% of its gross leasable area as of December 31, 2002.

During  2002,  total  reported  sales  reached a new  record  high for Tanger of
approximately $1.5 billion. Additionally, same-space sales increased by 1.4% for
the year ended  December  31, 2002 and  increased  by 0.4% for the three  months
ended December 31, 2002 over the same-space sales for the comparable  periods in
2001.  Reported 2002 same-space sales equated to $294 per square foot,  matching
Tanger's 2001 per square foot record high.  For the year ended December 31, 2002
reported  same-store  sales for tenants in operation since January 1, 2001, were
down 0.8% compared to 2001.  Fourth quarter 2002 reported  same-store sales were
down 1.9%.  Average tenant occupancy costs across Tanger's portfolio remained at
an industry-leading low level during 2002, averaging 7.2%, approximately in-line
with the company's record 2001 low of 7.1%.

             2002 Investment Activities Increase Portfolio by 13.8%
                         & Provide Growth Opportunities

During 2002,  Tanger  increased its portfolio under  management by approximately
749,000 square feet through a balance of development and acquisition activities.

In July 2002, Tanger celebrated the grand opening of its newly developed factory
outlet shopping center in Myrtle Beach,  South Carolina.  The first phase of the
property totals  approximately  260,000 square feet and opened 100% leased.  The
property,  which was  developed  and is managed  and leased by Tanger,  is owned
through a joint venture of which Tanger owns a 50% interest.  Total cost for the
first phase were $34.6 million,  of which Tanger's  capital  investment  totaled
$4.3 million and is currently yielding a return in excess of 20%. In November of
2002, Tanger commenced  construction on a 64,000 square foot second phase, which
is currently  scheduled for completion in the summer of 2003.  Tanger's  capital
investment in the second phase is expected to be approximately $1.1 million with
an expected return in excess of 20%.


                                       2


In September  2002,  Tanger  acquired a 325,000 square foot, 100% leased factory
outlet shopping center located in Howell,  Michigan,  within the greater Detroit
metropolitan  region.  The purchase  price was $37.5  million,  representing  an
approximate 12% capitalization rate on existing net operating income. In January
2003,  Tanger  acquired a 29,000  square  foot,  100% leased  expansion  located
contiguous with its existing  factory outlet center in  Sevierville,  Tennessee.
The purchase  price was $4.7 million with an expected  return of 10%.  Tanger is
also underway with the  development  of another  35,000 square foot expansion of
the center. Tanger expects to complete the expansion during 2003 at a cost of $4
million  with an  expected  return  in  excess of 13%.  Upon  completion  of the
expansion, the Sevierville center will total approximately 418,000 square feet.

In addition to its development and acquisition activity, during 2002 Tanger sold
two non-core assets. In June 2002, Tanger sold a non-core single tenant, 165,000
square foot property located in Ft. Lauderdale,  Florida.  The property was sold
for $18.2 million,  representing a  capitalization  rate of 8.8% on existing net
operating income.  In November 2002, Tanger sold a 23,417 square foot,  non-core
property  located  in  Bourne,  Massachusetts.  The  property  was sold for $3.4
million,  representing a  capitalization  rate of 9.6% on existing net operating
income.

   2002 Financing Activities Improve Balance Sheet and Extend Debt Maturities

In  September  2002,  Tanger  raised  approximately  $28  million  in net equity
proceeds through the sale of 1.0 million newly issued common shares. The company
utilized the proceeds to fund its  acquisition  of the factory  outlet center in
Howell,  Michigan.  Additionally,  during 2002 Tanger  increased its credit line
capacity to $85 million and extended its credit lines'  maturities to June 2004.
During  the fourth  quarter  of 2002,  Tanger  repurchased  $5.5  million of its
outstanding 7 7/8% public senior unsecured notes that mature in October 2004. To
date,  during 2001 and 2002,  Tanger has  purchased  $24.9 million of its higher
coupon senior notes at par or below.

During 2002, Tanger reduced its debt outstanding,  lowered its overall borrowing
costs and increased its  unencumbered  pool of assets.  As of December 31, 2002,
the company had approximately $345.0 million of debt outstanding, as compared to
$358.2 million  outstanding at year-end 2001. Of the $345.0 million  outstanding
as of December 31, 2002,  $296.0 million,  or 85.8% of its total debt, was fixed
rate, long-term debt. At December 31, 2002, Tanger had $20.5 million outstanding
on its lines of credit.  In total,  Tanger's  weighted  average  borrowing  cost
during 2002 was 8.09%,  as compared to 8.79%  during 2001.  Additionally,  as of
December 31,  2002,  61% of Tanger's  real estate  assets were  unencumbered  as
compared to 59% as of year-end 2001.

            In 2003 Tanger Expects to Continue Growing FFO Per Share

Based on current  market  conditions,  the  strength  and  stability of its core
portfolio  and  the  company's  development  and  acquisition  pipeline,  Tanger
currently  believes its FFO for 2003 will be between  $3.43 and $3.51 per share.
Due to the  seasonal  nature of the factory  outlet  industry,  which  typically
experiences a greater demand for space from seasonal  tenants in the second half
of each year and high  volume  tenants  that pay rent based on a  percentage  of
their  monthly  sales,  which are higher  during  the later  months of the year,
Tanger  currently  expects 2003 FFO to range between $.77 and $.79 per share for
the first quarter,  $.81 to $.83 per share for the second quarter,  $.87 to $.89
per  share  for the third  quarter  and $.98 to $1.00  per share for the  fourth
quarter.

    Year-End Conference Call to Held on February 26, 2002 at 3:00 P.M. (EST)

Tanger will host a  conference  call to discuss its 2002  results for  analysts,
investors and other interested parties on Wednesday,  February 26, 2003, at 3:00
P.M.  eastern  time.  To access  the  conference  call,  listeners  should  dial
1-877-277-5113  and request to be connected to the Tanger Factory Outlet Centers
Fourth Quarter and Year End Financial Results call. Alternatively,  this call is
being  webcast by CCBN and can be accessed  at Tanger  Factory  Outlet  Centers,
Inc.'s web site at www.tangeroutlet.com, and click on Corporate News.

A telephone  replay of the call will be available from February 26, 2003 at 5:00
P.M eastern time through March 5, 2003 at 11:59 A.M. by dialing  1-800-642-1687,
conference  ID #  7978733.  An  online  archive  of the  broadcast  will also be
available through March 5, 2003.


                                       3


                      About Tanger Factory Outlet Centers

Tanger  Factory  Outlet  Centers,   Inc.  (NYSE:   SKT),  a  fully   integrated,
self-administered and self-managed publicly-traded REIT, presently has ownership
interests in or management responsibilities for 34 centers in 21 states coast to
coast, totaling approximately 6.2 million square feet of gross leasable area. We
are filing a Form 8-K with the Securities and Exchange  Commission that includes
a supplemental  information package for the quarter ended December 31, 2002. For
more   information   on   Tanger   Outlet   Centers,   visit  our  web  site  at
www.tangeroutlet.com.

This  press  release  may  contain  forward-looking   statements  regarding  our
re-merchandising  strategy,  the renewal and re-tenanting of space, tenant sales
and sales trends,  interest rates, fund from operations,  the development of new
centers, the opening of ongoing expansions, coverage of the current dividend and
the  impact  of sales of land  parcels.  These  forward-looking  statements  are
subject to risks and uncertainties.  Actual results could differ materially from
those projected due to various factors including,  but not limited to, the risks
associated  with  general  economic  and  local  real  estate  conditions,   the
availability  and cost of  capital,  our  ability to lease our  properties,  our
inability  to collect rent due to the  bankruptcy  or  insolvency  of tenants or
otherwise,  and competition.  For a more detailed discussion of the factors that
affect  our  operating  results,  interested  parties  should  review the Tanger
Factory  Outlet  Centers,  Inc.  Annual  Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 2001.





                                       4





                                            TANGER FACTORY OUTLET CENTERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                                                   CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                                                   (In thousands, except per share data)

                                                                            Three Months Ended                  Year Ended
                                                                               December 31,                     December 31,
                                                                            2002          2001               2002          2001
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                              (unaudited)                     (unaudited)
REVENUES
                                                                                                            
  Base rentals (a)                                                       $20,545       $19,188            $75,755       $73,263
  Percentage rentals                                                       1,602         1,287              3,558         2,735
  Expense reimbursements                                                   8,618         7,497             30,550        29,498
  Other income (b)                                                         1,116           849              3,304         2,770
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       Total revenues                                                     31,881        28,821            113,167       108,266
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EXPENSES
  Property operating                                                      10,217         8,348             36,083        33,970
  General and administrative                                               2,237         2,130              9,228         8,227
  Interest                                                                 7,042         7,297             28,460        30,134
  Depreciation and amortization                                            7,406         7,126             28,754        28,145
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       Total expenses                                                     26,902        24,901            102,525       100,476
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income before equity in earnings of unconsolidated joint ventures,
   minority interest, discontinued operations and extraordinary item       4,979         3,920             10,642         7,790
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated joint ventures (c)                      142           ---                392           ---
Minority interest                                                         (1,175)         (962)            (2,406)       (1,665)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income from continuing operations                                          3,946         2,958              8,628         6,125
Discontinued operations, net of minority interest (d)                      1,214           305              2,379         1,231
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income before extraordinary item                                           5,160         3,263             11,007         7,356
Extraordinary item - Loss on early extinguishment of debt,
   net of minority interest of $44 and $94, respectively                     ---          (114)               ---          (244)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income                                                                 5,160         3,149             11,007         7,112
Less applicable preferred share dividends                                   (442)         (443)            (1,771)       (1,771)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income available to common shareholders                               $4,718        $2,706             $9,236        $5,341
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Basic earnings per common share:
Income from continuing operations                                           $.39          $.32               $.82          $.55
Net income                                                                  $.52          $.34              $1.11          $.67
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Diluted earnings per common share:
Income from continuing operations                                           $.38          $.32               $.80          $.55
Net income                                                                  $.51          $.34              $1.08          $.67
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Funds from operations (FFO)                                              $13,101       $11,503            $41,695       $37,768
FFO per common share - diluted                                             $1.01          $.98              $3.40         $3.23
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(a)  Includes  straight-line  rent  adjustment  of $(55) and $(73) for the three
     months  ended and $(248) and $(342) for the years ended  December  31, 2002
     and 2001, respectively.
(b)  Includes  gains on sales of three  outparcels of land of $136 for the three
     months ended and $167 for the year ended December 31, 2002.
(c)  Includes  Myrtle Beach,  South  Carolina  property  which is operated by us
     through a 50% ownership joint venture.
(d)  In accordance  with SFAS No. 144 "Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal
     of Long Lived Assets", the results of operations for properties disposed of
     during the year have been reported  above as  discontinued  operations  for
     both the current and prior periods presented. Includes gains on the sale of
     two previously  leased  outparcels of land of $318 for the three months and
     $561 for the year ended December 31, 2002 and gains on the sale of two real
     estate  properties  of $1,242 for the three months ended and $1,702 for the
     year ended December 31, 2002.


                                       5




                                   TANGER FACTORY OUTLET CENTERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                                               CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                                            (In thousands, except share data)

                                                                            December 31,       December 31,
                                                                                2002             2001
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                      (unaudited)
ASSETS
  Rental Property
                                                                                             
    Land                                                                          $ 51,274         $ 60,158
    Buildings, improvements and fixtures                                           571,125          539,108
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                   622,399          599,266
    Accumulated depreciation                                                      (174,199)        (148,950)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Rental property, net                                                           448,200          450,316
  Cash and cash equivalents                                                          1,072              515
  Deferred charges, net                                                             10,104           11,413
  Other assets                                                                      18,299           14,028
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total Assets                                                               $ 477,675        $ 476,272
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Liabilities
  Long-term debt
    Senior, unsecured notes                                                      $ 150,109        $ 160,509
    Mortgages payable                                                              174,421          176,736
    Lines of credit                                                                 20,475           20,950
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                   345,005          358,195
  Construction trade payables                                                        3,310            3,722
  Accounts payable and accrued expenses                                             15,095           16,478
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total liabilities                                                            363,410          378,395
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commitments
Minority interest                                                                   23,630           21,506
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shareholders' equity
  Preferred shares, $.01 par value, 1,000,000 shares authorized,
    80,190 and 80,600 shares issued and outstanding
    at December 31, 2002 and 2001                                                        1                1
  Common shares, $.01 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized,
    9,061,025 and 7,929,711 shares issued and outstanding
    at December 31, 2002 and 2001                                                       90               79
  Paid in capital                                                                  161,192          136,529
  Distributions in excess of net income                                            (70,485)         (59,534)
  Accumulated other comprehensive loss                                                (163)            (704)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total shareholders' equity                                                      90,635           76,371
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total liabilities and shareholders' equity                                 $ 477,675        $ 476,272
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                       6




              TANGER FACTORY OUTLET CENTERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                            SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
         (In thousands, except per share, state and center information)

                                                                           Three Months Ended            Year Ended
                                                                               December 31,                 December 31,
                                                                            2002         2001            2002         2001
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Funds from Operations:
                                                                                                        
  Net income                                                              $5,160       $3,149         $11,007       $7,112
  Adjusted for:
  Extraordinary item - loss on early extinguishment of debt                  ---          114             ---          244
  Minority interest                                                        1,175          962           2,406        1,665
  Minority interest, depreciation and amortization
    attributable to discontinued operations                                  417          224           1,102          898
  Depreciation and amortization uniquely significant to
    real estate - wholly owned                                             7,336        7,054          28,460       27,849
  Depreciation and amortization uniquely significant to
    real estate - unconsolidated joint ventures                              255          ---             422          ---
  Gain on sale of real estate                                             (1,242)         ---          (1,702)         ---
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Funds from operations before minority interest                       $13,101      $11,503         $41,695      $37,768
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Funds from operations per share - diluted                              $1.01         $.98           $3.40        $3.23
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES
  Basic weighted average common shares                                     9,047        7,930           8,322        7,926
  Effect of outstanding share and unit options                               232           16             192           22
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Diluted weighted average common shares (for
    earnings per share computations)                                       9,279        7,946           8,514        7,948
  Convertible preferred shares (a)                                           723          726             724          726
  Convertible operating partnership unit  (a)                              3,033        3,033           3,033        3,033
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Diluted weighted average common shares (for
    funds from operations per share computations)                         13,035       11,705          12,271       11,707
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



OTHER INFORMATION
Gross leasable area open at end of period -
  Wholly owned                                                             5,469        5,332           5,469        5,332
  Partially owned (b)                                                        260          ---             260          ---
  Managed                                                                    457          105             457          105
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total gross leasable area open at end of period                            6,186        5,437           6,186        5,437

  Outlet centers in operation -
  Wholly owned                                                                28           29              28           29
  Partially owned (b)                                                          1          ---               1          ---
  Managed                                                                      5            3               5            3
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total outlet centers in operation                                             34           32              34           32

States operated in at end of period (b)                                       21           20              21           20
Occupancy percentage at end of period (b)                                    98%          96%             98%          96%

- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(a)  The convertible  preferred shares and operating partnership units (minority
     interest)  are not  dilutive on earnings per share  computed in  accordance
     with generally accepted accounting principles.

(b)  Includes  Myrtle Beach,  South  Carolina  property  which is operated by us
     through a 50% ownership joint venture.


                                       7