Next eyes Russell & Bromley as latest buy - report
Retail giant Next has been a major acquirer of brands in recent years and a report claims that premium footwear chain Russell & Bromley is now on its shopping list.
uk.fashionnetwork.comHere’s the latest on Russell & Bromley based on recent reporting:
- In January 2026, Next plc agreed to acquire the Russell & Bromley brand and a small number of stores as part of a rescue deal, with about 33 stores and most jobs left under administration to be reviewed separately. This move aims to secure the brand’s future and help it return to its premium footwear roots, though the full store network remains uncertain.[4][5]
- The administration process has left the future of many stores in question, with industry outlets noting that a significant portion of the network was not included in Next’s purchase and remains at risk or under review.[3][5][9]
- Coverage from Sky News and Fashion Network around December 2025 described Next as among potential bidders and highlighted Russell & Bromley’s ongoing ReeBoot strategy and funding discussions, signaling ongoing strategic changes leading into the 2026 period.[1][2]
If you’d like, I can pull more granular details on which specific stores were acquired, the financial terms of the deal, or summarize how this fits into Next’s broader strategy in premium footwear. I can also provide a quick country-by-country outlook if you’re tracking potential impacts on distribution in Europe.
Citations:
- Next plots swoop on Russell & Bromley, Sky News and related reporting[2][1]
- Next buys Russell & Bromley out of administration; store network at risk[5][3][4]
- Russell & Bromley coverage and status updates from UK media outlets[9]