NEXT will relocate and refit its Cribbs Mall store in Bristol, creating a 47,000 sq ft fashion space alongside the region’s first standalone Bath & Body Works location.
The larger NEXT store will carry an expanded selection of clothing and accessories, while the retailer has also agreed to lease a separate 1,797 sq ft unit for Bath & Body Works, extending the US personal care brand’s presence in its UK portfolio.
Katie Searle, Director of Asset Management at Sovereign Centros from CBRE, said that the existing NEXT location was among the retailer’s best-performing stores in the country, supporting its decision to invest in the larger fashion space and introduce Bath & Body Works to the centre.
“These premium stores at Cribbs will act as showrooms, with shoppers of all ages from across the West Country, West Midlands, South West and South Wales travelling to explore the latest styles and trends,” Searle added.
Retailers invest in larger Cribbs stores
The plans form part of a wider programme of store investment at Cribbs, where M&S carried out a complete refit of its 103,000 sq ft unit in December 2024. H&M also selected the centre for a technology-enabled regional flagship, while Boots has modernised its beauty hall to accommodate more than 30 additional premium brands.
Cribbs has also signed leases with AllSaints, Levi’s and Rodd & Gunn in recent months, with the centre reporting a 26% increase in domestic tourists over the past year and a 13% growth in Gen Z shoppers.
NEXT continues store investment programme
The Cribbs project comes after NEXT’s largest UK store at Bluewater opened in Kent on 30 July 2026.
The 132,000 sq ft Bluewater anchor spans two floors and has 83,000 sq ft of trading space, bringing together womenswear, menswear, childrenswear and home. It also has a Costa café and a Bath & Body Works concession with its own entrance.
NEXT previously opened stores in Eldon Square, Newcastle, Canterbury and Ripon during 2025, following the relaunch of its Stratford City location in 2024.
The investment programme follows NEXT raising its full-year pre-tax profit forecast by £25 million to £1.24 billion. Total full-price sales rose 9.2% year-on-year during the 13 weeks to 1 August 2026, against the retailer’s forecast of 4% growth.