Next signs deals to open new concept beauty halls in former Debenhams stores at three Intu malls

Intu has confirmed it has signed deals with Next to open new concept beauty halls in former Debenhams stores within its shopping centres.

The fashion retailer will open its new beauty concept, The Beauty Hall from Next, in former Debenhams sites in Intu Metrocentre, Milton Keynes and Watford. The new Next concept stores will also offer home and womenswear.

This openings will allow Next to continue to extend its fast-growing premium beauty offer from online-only into stores with the Intu deal following on from a previously announced deal with landlord Hammerson for five stores. 

Next already sells around 200 beauty brands on its website from the likes of Estee Lauder, Clinique, Benefit, Origins, The Ordinary, GHD, Dermalogica, Aveda, Illamasqua, Elemis, Burberry, By Terry, Rituals, L’Occitane, Bvlgari, Emporio Armani and Boss.

It also owned Fabled.com, a premium beauty business established by media brand Marie Claire and Ocado, which it acquired in an £8m deal in May last year. Fabled has a dedicated website at www.fabled.com offering brands such as Bobbi Brown, La Mer, Nars and Tom Ford.

Intu is yet to confirm the opening dates of the new Next concept beauty halls.

General manager at intu Watford, Vicki Costello, said: "This new partnership shows how important flagship destinations are to the future of retail. We are very impressed with Next’s ambition for its new concept."

"There are many positive movements in retail and confidence within the industry that will see further announcements and good news for our shoppers."

In May, Next announced its beauty halls would take over five Debenhams stores located in Hammerson-owned shopping centres. These will be located at Bullring, Birmingham, The Oracle, Reading, Highcross, Leicester, Sliverburn, Glasgow and Centrale in Croydon.