Next to re-open 25 stores on 15 June

High street giant Next has said it will open 25 of its stores on 15 June, the date the Government has given for non-essential stores to re-open in the UK.

The company, which operates from around 500 stores across the UK and Ireland, will be taking a phased approach to its re-opening testing social distancing measures in larger, out of town stores first.

Department store John Lewis has said it will be taking a similar approach to the re-opening its 50 stores, it announced earlier today.

Next closed all of its stores in accordance with the UK lockdown on 23 March and also took its online operations down for a period while it introduced news safety and hygiene measures into its warehouse.

It partially re-opened its website on 14 April, with kidswear, lounge wear and some home ranges; it has been ramping up its online offer since that date and is now offering its full range.

Shares in some retailers increased today on the back of the news that stores will be able to open from 15 June, though some retailers had hoped to be able to open from 1 June. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said that only car dealerships and outdoor markets will be added to the list of stores permitted to be open from 1 June; others will have to wait two more weeks.

Shares in Next closed up 5.26% today at 4,824p.