Next has joined other high street stalwarts in coming up with “inventive” ways to keep shoppers walking through its stores. Coffee shops? Yes. Prosecco bars and nail salons? Soon. The latest fashions? Open to debate.
However, the key question is: has it invested enough online? And is all this just covering the fact that its sprawling store estate has become a millstone?
Next has 543 stores and recently announced a 75,000 sq ft out-of-town shop in Merry Hill, near Birmingham, in what will be one of its largest sites. All this expansion comes while its rivals — including Marks & Spencer and Debenhams — are shuttering shops.
Questions over strategy are reflected in a volatile share price. The stock is down almost 16% since the