New Delhi, India – British fashion and lifestyle giant Next plc is charting an aggressive expansion course in India, solidifying its commitment to one of the world's fastest-growing retail markets. The company has enhanced its strategic partnership with Indian e-commerce major Myntra, aiming for a robust omnichannel presence that combines a strong online foothold with a rapidly growing network of physical stores.

The core of this expansion lies in a comprehensive franchise and distribution agreement with Myntra Jabong India Pvt. Ltd. (MJIPL), Myntra's wholesale entity. Under this deal, MJIPL has secured the exclusive rights to distribute and manage Next's products across India, and to partner with franchisees for store operations. This strategic alliance is designed to scale Next's presence significantly, both online and in brick-and-mortar formats.

Aggressive Store Rollout and Omnichannel Strategy

Next has already made its physical debut in India, opening its first exclusive brand store in Pune at Pavilion Mall, followed by a second in Hyderabad at Lakeshore Mall. These stores, spanning approximately 7,100 to 10,000 sq. ft., showcase Next's signature British elegance and modernity, offering a wide range of apparel for men, women, and children.

The expansion plans are ambitious: * Myntra Jabong Pvt. Ltd. will establish between eight and ten Next-branded stores in key Indian cities, including Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru, within the initial years of operation. * Next aims to expand to over 50 points of sale nationwide by 2030, which will include both Exclusive Brand Outlets (EBOs) and shop-in-shop formats within multi-brand retailers like Shoppers Stop. * The brand will maintain an extensive online presence through Myntra's platform, where it first launched its partnership in 2023.

The online collaboration has already proven highly successful, with demand for Next products reportedly doubling since its launch on Myntra. This strong online performance laid the groundwork for the accelerated physical expansion.

Why India? A Market Ripe for International Brands

Next's intensified focus on India is a clear indicator of the country's burgeoning potential for international fashion brands. Myntra CEO Nandita Sinha highlighted the successful trajectory of their online partnership, stating, "With a successful trajectory of growing Next online in India, our first year of working together has resulted in establishing the right product, audience and price fit in the country." She added that Myntra is looking forward to "unlocking the next phase of growth in the brand's India scale-up journey."

Next Chief Executive Lord Wolfson expressed similar enthusiasm, noting, "We are hugely excited to be working with Myntra in one of the world's fastest-growing markets and very much look forward to seeing what can be achieved together."

India is considered a key strategic market for Next globally due to its rapidly expanding consumer base, a high and fast-growing appetite for international fashion, and robust retail infrastructure. The partnership also opens doors for Myntra to potentially introduce other Next-owned brands, such as Reiss, Joules, and Fat Face, to the Indian market.

This move by Next aligns with a broader trend of global fashion retailers, including Zara, H&M, and Uniqlo, deepening their presence in India through franchise and partnership-led models, positioning themselves to capture a larger share of the country's expanding premium fashion market. The Indian premium children's fashion market, in particular, is seen as underserved, an area Next aims to address with its global-quality offerings.

Next plc's financial performance globally has been strong, with the company reporting increased profits and plans for further investments in brands and international expansion. The fashion retailer's decision to expand its physical retail space marks a renewed confidence in brick-and-mortar stores, signaling that the most significant shift to online shopping may be behind the industry.

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