Fashion retailer Next has inked a retail deal with Intu to open a new beauty hall in the UK.
Set to open at Debenhams’ former store in Watford, which permanently closed in June due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the retailer hopes to extend its ‘fast growing’ beauty offering.
As well as beauty, Next will sell home and apparel products from the location.
“We are delighted to make this announcement today and show that intu Watford continues to be a destination that brands want to invest in,” said Vicki Costello, Centre Director at Intu Watford.
“This new partnership shows how important flagship destinations are to the future of retail.
“We are very impressed with Next’s ambition for this new concept.”
Despite the pandemic and its impact on retail, Costello said that there are many “positive movements” in retail and the company was expecting to announce more “good news” for shoppers.
The deal comes three months after Next announced it was investing in five physical beauty halls at former Debenhams destinations across the UK.
The retailer broke into the beauty category via its website in 2018, but Next’s CEO Simon Wolfson said this was an exciting opportunity to bring its online business to life.
Retail seizes new opportunities
Analysis:
By Becky Bargh
Senior News and Social Media Reporter
While many businesses have been struggling with the impacts of Covid-19, it is a breath of fresh air to hear some success stories coming out of the retail sector.
Alongside Next seizing new opportunities in beauty, discount retailer Poundland is making preparations to embark on its biggest transformation in history.
Project Diamond will see the cross-category goods seller pilot a new e-commerce and home delivery service, and is expected to transform its in-store experiences to reveal a shop-in-shop concept.
MAC Cosmetics also gave the green light to open its Liverpool One store earlier this month.
Similarly, a new breed of beauty entrepreneurs are emerging from the Covid-19 lockdown, which is slated to boost the industry’s value by £4bn.
According to a study by Mayku, almost a quarter of consumers with a hobby for making beauty products have been inspired to set up their own business.
Hopefully this positivity will give a much needed boost to the sector as it continues to negotiate the effects of the pandemic.
