Next to open garden centres

Marks & Spencer and Next’s rush to open shops out-of-town exhibits retailers confidence in a recovery and the strength of their band names.

Next said it would open stores including garden centres as it prepares to launch bigger retail shops that will offer full ranges of clothing, homewares and garden supplies. The high street retailer will aim to begin with a store opening in Shoreham at a former Homebase location.

In the new 50,000 sq ft location, the retailer will offer clothing, homewares and keep a fully stocked garden centre on the premises. Next would also like to introduce coffee shops into retail outlets so that bigger stores can mirror M&S, which has already introduced cafes into its larger centres.

According to retail property expert CB Richard Ellis, the deal at Shoreham is the most recent in a bid from large UK retailers to move many of their major outlets out of town. Dominic Walton from CB Richard Ellis said that the Shoreham deal marks the latest in out-of-town locations launched by M&S and Next and others after confidence in their brands has led to attracting more customers to stores in various destinations. Walton added that by opening stores within prime retail space, retailers can remain highly competitive.

Next’s chief executive, Simon Wolfson said that Next has focused on extending existing stores rather than opening more new locations. He added that this year the retailer would add 336,000 sq ft of trading space to its Next Home branding.

Source : Globally.co.uk