Exhibit 32.1



                    Certification of Chief Executive Officer

         Pursuant  to 18 U.S.C.  ss.  1350,  as created  by  Section  906 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley  Act of 2002,  the  undersigned  officer of Tanger Factory Outlet
Centers,  Inc. (the "Company")  hereby certifies,  to such officer's  knowledge,
that:

         (i) the  accompanying  Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of the Company for
     the quarterly period ended June 30, 2003 (the "Report") fully complies with
     the  requirements of Section 13(a) or Section 15(d), as applicable,  of the
     Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

         (ii) the information  contained in the Report fairly  presents,  in all
     material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the
     Company.

Pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission,
this certification is being furnished and is not deemed filed.

     Dated: August 13, 2003                /s/ Stanley K. Tanger
            ---------------               -----------------------------------
                                          Stanley K. Tanger
                                          Chairman of the Board and
                                          Chief Executive Officer