NEWS RELEASE

FOR RELEASE:      IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

                    TANGER REPORTS FIRST QUARTER 2003 RESULTS
     58.3% Increase in Net Income Per Share, 2.6% Increase in FFO Per Share

Greensboro,  NC, May 6, 2003,  Tanger Factory Outlet  Centers,  Inc.  (NYSE:SKT)
today  reported net income for the first  quarter of 2003 was $2.2  million,  or
$0.19 per share,  as compared to net income of $1.4 million,  or $0.12 per share
for the first quarter of 2002,  representing a 58.3% per share increase. For the
three months  ended March 31,  2003,  funds from  operations  ("FFO"),  a widely
accepted measure of REIT performance,  was $10.3 million, or $0.78 per share, as
compared to FFO of $8.9 million,  or $0.76 per share, for the three months ended
March 31, 2002,  representing a 15.1% increase in total FFO and a 2.6% per share
increase.  Net income and FFO per share amounts above are on a diluted  basis. A
reconciliation of net income to FFO is presented on the supplemental information
page of this press release.

                            First Quarter Highlights

o    95% period-end portfolio occupancy rate

o    152  leases   signed,   totaling   677,000  square  feet  with  respect  to
     re-tenanting  and renewal  activity,  including 50.4% of the square footage
     scheduled to expire during 2003

o    $293 per square foot in reported  same-space  tenant  sales for the rolling
     twelve months ended March 31, 2003

o    7.2%  occupancy  cost per square foot for the rolling  twelve  months ended
     March 31, 2003

o    99,000 square feet of development/expansion space underway and scheduled to
     open in third quarter of 2003

o    45.8%  debt-to-total  market  capitalization  ratio,  2.62  times  interest
     coverage ratio

o    $0.615 per share in common dividends declared,  $2.46 per share annualized,
     representing 10th consecutive year of increased dividends

Stanley K. Tanger, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, commented,
"Our  portfolio  and tenants  continued to perform well and post solid  results,
despite being faced with numerous  challenges  in the first  quarter,  including
unusually  harsh winter  conditions  and the shift in the Easter  holiday to the
second quarter of 2003. Our portfolio occupancy held firm again at a strong 95%,
equaling our first-quarter  occupancy rate for the past four consecutive  years.
Importantly,  we continued to operate our centers in a cost efficient manner, as
was evidenced by our low occupancy cost of 7.2%." Mr. Tanger continued,  "During
the first three months we have already released or renewed  approximately 50% of
the space  scheduled to expire  during the entire year. We are on track with our
development  and expansion  activities,  which may have a positive impact on our
earnings in the second half of the year. Overall,  we remain  well-positioned to
achieve our stated growth objectives for the year."

                                       1


                           Portfolio Operating Results

During  the  first  quarter  of  2003,  Tanger  executed  152  leases,  totaling
approximately 677,000 square feet, including  approximately 539,000 square feet,
representing 50.4%, of the 1,070,000 square feet originally  scheduled to expire
during 2003.  Tanger  achieved a 1.7% increase in base rental revenue per square
foot, on a cash basis,  with respect to this  re-tenanting and renewal activity.
Additionally,  the average  initial cash base rent for new stores  opened during
the first quarter of 2003 was $19.01,  representing an increase of $1.43 or 8.1%
above the average base rent for stores closed during the first quarter of 2003.

Reported  same-space  sales per square foot for the rolling  twelve months ended
March 31,  2003 were $293 per  square  foot.  This  represents  a 0.3%  decrease
compared to $294 per square foot for the rolling  twelve  months ended March 31,
2002.  For the first  quarter of 2003,  same-space  sales  decreased by 6.1%, as
compared  to the record  high first  quarter  sales for the same period in 2002.
Same-space  sales is  defined as the  weighted  average  sales per  square  foot
reported in space open for the full  duration of the  comparative  periods.  The
sales results are due, in part, to the severe winter during the first quarter of
2003 and the shift in the Easter holiday to the second quarter of 2003.

                              Investment Activities

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%.
Construction  of an  additional  35,000  square foot  expansion of the center is
currently under way, with stores expected to open during the summer of 2003. The
cost of expansion  is  estimated  to be $4.0 million with an expected  return in
excess of 13%. Upon  completion of the expansion,  the  Sevierville  center will
total approximately 418,000 square feet.

Tanger is currently  underway  with  constructing  the second phase of our newly
opened,  100% leased center in Myrtle Beach,  SC. The second phase totals 64,000
square  feet and  stores are  expected  to open  during the summer of 2003.  The
center,  which was developed and is managed and leased by the Company,  is owned
through a joint venture of which the Company owns a 50%  interest.  Accordingly,
the Company's capital investment for the second phase will be approximately $1.1
million with an expected return in excess of 20%.

                              Balance Sheet Summary

As of March 31, 2003, Tanger had a total market  capitalization of approximately
$744  million,  with  $341  million  of debt  outstanding,  equating  to a 45.8%
debt-to-total  market  capitalization  ratio. This compares favorably to a total
market  capitalization  of approximately  $674 million with $360 million of debt
outstanding  on March 31,  2002.  The Company had a 53.3%  debt-to-total  market
capitalization  ratio as of March 31,  2002.  During  the first  quarter  Tanger
reduced its debt outstanding by $3.9 million.  As of March 31, 2003, the Company
had $19.3  million  outstanding  with $65.7  million  available  on its lines of
credit.  The Company continues to improve its interest coverage ratio, which was
2.62 times for the first  quarter of 2003,  as compared  to 2.35 times  interest
coverage in the same period last year.

On May 2,  2003,  Tanger  announced  it  would  call for  redemption  all of its
outstanding  Depositary  Shares  representing  Series A  Cumulative  Convertible
Redeemable Preferred Shares (NYSE: SKT-A) on June 20, 2003. The redemption price
will be $25.00 per Depositary Share, plus accrued and unpaid dividends,  if any,
to, but not including, the redemption date. Prior to redemption, each Depositary
Share may be  converted  to .901 common  shares at the option of the  Depositary
Share holder until 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on June 17, 2003.

                                       2


                           2003 FFO Per Share Guidance

Based on current  market  conditions,  the  strength  and  stability of its core
portfolio  and the Company's  ongoing  development,  expansion  and  acquisition
pipeline,  Tanger  currently  believes its FFO for 2003 will range between $3.44
and $3.50 per share. Tanger currently expects 2003 FFO to range between $0.81 to
$0.83 per share for the second  quarter,  $0.87 to $0.89 per share for the third
quarter and $0.98 to $1.00 per share for the fourth quarter.

                          First Quarter Conference Call

Tanger  will host a  conference  call to discuss its first  quarter  results for
analysts,  investors and other  interested  parties on Tuesday,  May 6, 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
First Quarter Financial Results call. Alternatively, the call will be webcast by
CCBN and can be accessed at Tanger  Factory Outlet  Centers,  Inc.'s web site at
www.tangeroutlet.com, (click on "Corporate News").

A telephone  replay of the call will be available  from May 6, 2003  starting at
5:00  P.M  eastern  time  through  May  13,  2003,  by  dialing   1-800-642-1687
(conference ID # 9544838). Additionally, an online archive of the broadcast will
also be available through May 13, 2003.

                       About Tanger Factory Outlet Centers

Tanger  Factory  Outlet  Centers,   Inc.  (NYSE:   SKT),  a  fully   integrated,
self-administered  and self-managed  publicly traded REIT, presently operates 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,  funds from operations and the development of
new  centers.  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, 2002.

                                       3





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

                                                                                       Three Months Ended
                                                                                            March 31,
                                                                                       2003          2002
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                        (unaudited)
REVENUES
                                                                                            
  Base rentals (a)                                                                  $19,661       $18,066
  Percentage rentals                                                                    395           597
  Expense reimbursements                                                              8,450         7,260
  Other income                                                                          671           564
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       Total revenues                                                                29,177        26,487
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EXPENSES
  Property operating                                                                 10,017         8,611
  General and administrative                                                          2,430         2,275
  Interest                                                                            6,724         7,129
  Depreciation and amortization                                                       7,329         7,066
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       Total expenses                                                                26,500        25,081
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income before equity in earnings of unconsolidated joint ventures,                    2,677         1,406
minority interest and discontinued operations
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated joint ventures                                      92             8
Minority interest                                                                      (578)         (252)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income from continuing operations                                                     2,191         1,162
Discontinued operations (b)                                                             ---           283
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income                                                                            2,191         1,445
Less applicable preferred share dividends                                              (443)         (444)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income available to common shareholders                                          $1,748        $1,001
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Basic earnings per common share (c) :
Income from continuing operations                                                      $.19          $.09
Net income                                                                             $.19          $.13
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Diluted earnings per common share (c) :
Income from continuing operations                                                      $.19          $.09
Net income                                                                             $.19          $.12
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Funds from operations (FFO)                                                         $10,278        $8,927
FFO per common share - diluted (c)                                                     $.78          $.76
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(a)  Includes  straight-line  rent  adjustment  of ($57) and ($41) for the three
     months ended March 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

(b)  In accordance  with SFAS No. 144 "Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal
     of Long Lived Assets",  the results of operations for property  disposed of
     during 2002 have been reported  above as  Discontinued  Operations for both
     the current and prior periods presented.

(c)  Relects the change in  accounting  policy with respect to stock  options as
     permitted by the modified  prospective  method of SFAS No. 148  "Accounting
     for Stock-Based  Compensation-Transition and Disclosure" whereby, effective
     January 1, 2003, compensation expense is recognized based on the fair value
     provisions of SFAS No. 123 "Accounting for  Stock-Based  Compensation"  for
     all  options  granted  since  1995.  Results  for prior years have not been
     restated.


                                       4




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

                                                                                                    March 31,     December 31,
                                                                                                      2003            2002
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                           (unaudited)
ASSETS
  Rental Property
                                                                                                                 
    Land                                                                                              $51,274          $51,274
    Buildings, improvements and fixtures                                                              581,074          571,125
    Developments under construction                                                                       692              ---
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                      633,040          622,399
    Accumulated depreciation                                                                         (180,996)        (174,199)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Rental property, net                                                                              452,044          448,200
  Cash and cash equivalents                                                                               209            1,072
  Deferred charges, net                                                                                 9,648           10,104
  Other assets                                                                                         13,424           18,299
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       Total assets                                                                                  $475,325         $477,675
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Liabilities
  Long-term debt
    Senior, unsecured notes                                                                          $148,009         $150,109
    Mortgages payable                                                                                 173,811          174,421
    Lines of credit                                                                                    19,319           20,475
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                      341,139          345,005
  Construction trade payables                                                                           7,560            3,310
  Accounts payable and accrued expenses                                                                12,070           15,095
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total liabilities                                                                             360,769          363,410
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commitments and contingencies
Minority interest                                                                                      23,245           23,630
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shareholders' equity
  Preferred shares, $.01 par value, 1,000,000 shares authorized,
    80,190 shares issued and outstanding
    at March 31, 2003 and December 31, 2002                                                                 1                1
  Common shares, $.01 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized,
    9,299,665 and 9,061,025 shares issued and outstanding
    at March 31, 2003 and December 31, 2002                                                                93               90
  Paid in capital                                                                                     165,641          161,192
  Distributions in excess of net income                                                               (74,324)         (70,485)
  Accumulated other comprehensive loss                                                                   (100)            (163)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total shareholders' equity                                                                     91,311           90,635
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Total liabilities and shareholders' equity                                                 $475,325         $477,675
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                       5




         TANGER FACTORY OUTLET CENTERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                      SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
   (In thousands, except per share, state and center information)
                                                                               Three Months Ended
                                                                                   March 31,
                                                                                2003         2002
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Funds from Operations:
                                                                                     
  Net income                                                                  $2,191       $1,445
  Adjusted for:
    Minority interest                                                            578          252
    Minority interest, depreciation and amortization
     attributable to discontinued operations                                     ---          237
    Depreciation and amortization uniquely significant to real estate
     - wholly owned                                                            7,255        6,993
    Depreciation and amortization uniquely significant to real estate
     - unconsolidated joint ventures                                             254          ---
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Funds from operations before minority interest                         $10,278       $8,927
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Funds from operations per share - diluted                                 $.78         $.76
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES
  Basic weighted average common shares                                         9,181        7,948
  Effect of outstanding share and unit options                                   227           80
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Diluted weighted average common shares (for
    earnings per share computations)                                           9,408        8,028
  Convertible preferred shares (a)                                               723          726
  Convertible operating partnership units (a)                                  3,033        3,033
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Diluted weighted average common shares (for
    funds from operations per share computations)                             13,164       11,787
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


OTHER INFORMATION
Gross leasable area open at end of period -
  Wholly owned                                                                 5,497        5,332
  Partially owned (b)                                                            260          ---
  Managed                                                                        457          105
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total gross leasable area open at end of period                                6,214        5,437

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

States operated in at end of period (b)                                           21           20
Occupancy percentage at end of period (b)                                        95%          95%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(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.


We believe that for a clear  understanding of our operating results,  FFO should
be considered along with net income as presented  elsewhere in this report.  FFO
is presented because it is a widely accepted financial indicator used by certain
investors  and  analysts to analyze and compare one equity REIT with  another on
the basis of  operating  performance.  FFO is  generally  defined  as net income
(loss),  computed in accordance with generally accepted  accounting  principles,
before extraordinary items and gains (losses) on sale or disposal of depreciable
operating properties, plus depreciation and amortization uniquely significant to
real  estate  after  adjustments  for  unconsolidated   partnerships  and  joint
ventures.  We caution that the calculation of FFO may vary from entity to entity
and as  such  the  presentation  of FFO by us may  not be  comparable  to  other
similarly titled measures of other reporting  companies.  FFO does not represent
net income or cash flow from  operations  as defined  by  accounting  principles
generally  accepted in the United States of America and should not be considered
an  alternative  to net income as an indication of operating  performance  or to
cash flows from  operations  as a measure of liquidity.  FFO is not  necessarily
indicative of cash flows available to fund dividends to  shareholders  and other
cash needs.
                                       6