Next opens first UK store combining home, beauty and fashion offerings

// Next opens new store in Watford

// The store spreads across three floors and covers 94,478sq ft in total

Next has opened a new store which combines the brand’s home, beauty and fashion offerings under one roof in a UK first.

The fashion retailer opened the store in Atria Watford, owned by property company SGS.

The new shop features a 1270sq ft Mamas & Papas concession, and spreads across three floors. It covers 94,478sq ft in total, signed on a 10-year lease.

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The store’s adjoining Victoria’s Secret unit also welcomed its first shoppers this week.

The lingerie retailer opened a 4500sq ft unit, adjacent to Next’s new offering. This has links to the main Next sales area, as well as a new, separate entrance.

Global Mutual Head of European Retail Asset Management, Steve Gray said: “We’re delighted to see Next and Victoria’s Secret welcome their first shoppers. Both have been eagerly anticipated.

“NEXT’s combined store is a UK first – which is hugely exciting – and the unit will now also incorporate Mamas & Papas, a brand much loved by our visitors. We’re currently seeing more and more retailers making use of concessions to diversify their offer and drive footfall – a trend we expect to persist.

“We look forward to working closely with our new additions and are confident that they will thrive here at Atria Watford – where healthy footfall, a compelling leisure offering and a strong existing tenant mix act as a combination for success.”

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