Global Mutual, real estate co-investor and asset manager, has signed 26,500sq ft across its Affinity Outlets portfolio. Next Outlet is set to open at Staffordshire and Devon, while Next Home is set to open in Lancashire, in addition to its existing successful Next outlet. This follows the recent openings by lifestyle clothing brand Lazy Jacks at Devon and Lancashire.
Fashion and homeware brand Next will open outlets at Affinity Staffordshire and Affinity Devon, in early autumn. Next Homeware will occupy a space at Affinity Lancashire, where Lazy Jacks, a lifestyle clothing brand designed in Devon, has already opened. It has also opened a store at Affinity Devon; deals which originated during the early phase of lockdown.
Next has taken a 6,000sq ft unit at Affinity Staffordshire, and will join a curated tenant line up which complements local consumer demand with a blend of lifestyle, footwear and fashion including Gap, Nike, Clarks and M&S.
At Affinity Devon, Next will occupy approximately 11,000sq ft in a prominent unit adjacent to Nike, while Lazy Jacks has opened a 1,500sq ft store. In this prominent coastal location, Affinity Devon already boasts a wide range of lifestyle clothing brands including Nike, Crew Clothing, Saltrock, Weird Fish and Trespass.
At Affinity Lancashire, Next Homeware will open a 6,500sq ft space. Lazy Jacks has already opened a new 1,500sq ft store, joining clothing brands Regatta, Craghoppers, Weird Fish, Trespass, Gap and Next.
Nicky Lovell, Head of Outlets and Brand Development at Affinity, said: “Leasing momentum across the Affinity Outlets has proven strong throughout lockdown demonstrating confidence in outlet retailing.
“Brands can bring their products directly to consumers and benefit from a flexible operational model, quality locations and being part of a well-rounded, family-friendly retail offer. As customers emerge from lockdown, the accessibility and openness of our centres has contributed to encouraging footfall levels, while the curated retail mix – blending value and outlet propositions with some great local businesses – has driven like-for-like sales growth.
“We are continuing to stay focused on our strategy of raising the bar of the retail proposition across all of the centres. Our success is testament to the strength of our long-term relationships working with key retail brands. We look forward to welcoming Next at Devon and Staffordshire and bringing this new offering to our loyal customers within the community.”
