Next plans to unite its fashion, beauty, and home ranges for new store

Next is to unite its fashion, beauty, and home ranges in one store for the first time, with the retailer planning to merge its two stores in the Atria Watford shopping centre in Hertfordshire.

Next's older store in Atria Watford will close and relocate to the Next Home & Beauty store that is situated in the shopping centre extension. The new, merged store will span 94,478 sq ft over three storeys and is expected to open in April 2022.

A 4,500 sq ft Victoria's Secret location will open adjacent to the new Next store with a connecting access doorway, as well as its own entrance. Next acquired a majority stake in the lingerie brand's UK business in 2020.

Next has signed a 10-year lease with the shopping mall for the new store.

A Next spokesperson said: “We are very excited to announce plans for our new and improved store at Atria Watford – a location where Next has already thrived for many years. The new unit will bring together the three elements of our offering in one place – fashion, home and beauty – for the first time, for our Watford shoppers to enjoy.”

Steve Gray, Head of European Retail Asset Management at Atria-owner Global Mutual added: “Next is a hugely important and long-standing tenant at the centre – and so we are really pleased to have supported them as they reconfigure their offering with us. We know locals and visitors will be incredibly excited by the new store.”