Next's next step: fine dining restaurants in stores

By

Sandra Halliday

Published
Jul 6, 2017

Fashion-to-furniture retail giant Next is planning to boost store footfall with a move into full-service fine dining and will open restaurants in some stores, starting this November.

It’s linking with TV chef Gino D’Acampo and specialist company Individual Restaurants for the deal as analysts continue to advise physical store chains to offer more leisure options to tempt shoppers away from their screens and through their doors.

The first results of the joint venture will be seen at Kingswood Retail Park in Hull and will have seating for 210 people. The second opening will be at the Manchester Arndale store, which is currently being revamped.

Importantly, as well as the restaurants having an open kitchen, deli bar and a Prosecco bar, they will also contain a book and grocery store.

A D’Acampo spokesperson said: “Gino D’Acampo not only serves great Italian food, his price points are accessible to all, which is a great fit for Next.”

This move is hugely significant for UK retail. Restaurants and cafés have long been a feature of British department stores and shopping centres, although previously, fine dining has rarely been the focus with such restaurants catering more for busy shoppers seeking a sit-down between store visits. Next currently partners with Starbucks and Costa Coffee but these partnerships fall into that ‘short sit-down’ approach.

Retail parks and malls usually provide a number of dining options but these tend to be separate from the retail store tenants and gathered into a dining area.

The move into upmarket dining by Next reflects a major trend. Department stores and high-end grocers are upping their game and features such as oyster bars and other fine dining options are being announced more frequently. Debenhams announced this year that it would open Prosecco bars and upscale cafés in its stores.