Next has opened its largest UK store at Bluewater Shopping Centre, tripling its footprint to 132,000sq ft. The new two-floor branch includes 83,000sq ft of trading space and brings together womenswear, menswear, childrenswear, and home under one roof.
Designed by strategy and design studio Dalziel & Pow, the opening forms part of Next’s wider programme to modernise and expand its physical estate.
Store Design and Features
The concept has previously been introduced at stores including Newcastle’s Eldon Square, Canterbury, Ripon, and Westfield Stratford City.
According to the agency, Next’s Bluewater shop has been designed to make browsing, collecting and purchasing products easier, while creating a more premium environment intended to encourage customers to spend longer in store.
Next has significantly expanded its furniture and homeware offer, with direct access to the rear car park intended to make larger purchases easier to collect and transport.
The store also includes a Costa café and a dedicated Bath & Body Works concession with its own entrance.
Design Approach
Dalziel & Pow said lighting had played a central role in the design, with ambient and accent lighting integrated into the architecture and visual merchandising fixtures.
Large atrium skylights bring natural light into the store, while a limited materials palette has been used to create a warm and residential feel.
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Dalziel & Pow creative director of environments Mark Frankland said: “With this design, we used materials that would make people feel comfortable and that they might even use at home.
“The store has a premium feel, but is designed to be welcoming, putting customers at their ease, while making their shopping experience as frictionless as possible.”
Dalziel & Pow has worked with Next for more than 19 years, developing store concepts to support the retailer’s expansion.
Frankland added: “We are proud to be launching this new store as Next continues its transformation from its presence on the UK high street to retail powerhouse.”
Next’s efforts to modernise and expand its physical estate seem to be part of a larger strategy to stay competitive in the UK retail market.
Store Operations
The new Bluewater store is a significant milestone for Next, and its success will likely be closely watched by industry observers.
For now, the store is open for business.
They offer customers a wide range of products and a premium shopping experience.
