Next plans the launch of ‘Seasons’, a luxury fashion website, to enhance their premium brand offerings.
- Scheduled to go live before Christmas, the website will feature brands like A.P.C, Ganni, and Marc Jacobs.
- The initiative is driven by increasing consumer interest in premium products such as Reiss, acquired by Next in 2021.
- Next aims to cater to the high-end market by prioritising premium customer experiences.
- The move positions Next as a competitor to Frasers Group’s premium fashion retailer, Flannels.
Next is preparing to launch a new premium fashion platform called ‘Seasons’. This website is expected to serve as a subsite, with a planned launch date before the Christmas season. The brands planned for inclusion are high-end names such as A.P.C, Ganni, Joseph, Marc Jacobs, Rixo, and Veja.
The new website aims to meet the increasing demand for luxury items, building on the success Next has experienced with brands like Reiss. According to a spokesperson, “The exceptionally strong demand for some of our existing premium brands, such as Reiss, has shown that a significant portion of our customers actively seek out premium and luxury products.”
Lord Wolfson, the company’s leader, observed a trend where customers are purchasing fewer but more expensive items. Consequently, Next plans to leverage its existing customer base by offering more premium brands online, thus enhancing the service to their luxury-focused clientele. This initiative aims to satisfy a growing segment of their 8 million customers who have shown interest in high-quality, premium products.
The strategic decision to launch ‘Seasons’ also places Next in competition with existing luxury fashion retailers, specifically Flannels, owned by the Frasers Group. The competitive landscape is marked by rapid growth and brand acquisitions.
Although committed to the ‘Seasons’ launch, Next is cautious about its investment, focusing on refining the website and its offerings rather than investing extensively at the outset. The goal is to ensure partner brands are satisfied with their representation on the platform to facilitate growth.
This announcement follows an upgrade in Next’s financial projections, reporting a first-half pre-tax profit rise of 7.1% to £453 million. The retailer projects an increase in annual profit forecasts to £995 million, a growth of 8.4% compared to the previous year.
The launch of Seasons is a strategic move by Next to strengthen its foothold in the premium fashion market amidst increasing competition.
