Next has confirmed a significant investment at Cribbs Causeway near Bristol, unveiling plans for a major store upgrade alongside the debut of a standalone Bath & Body Works outlet in the South West. The retailer, which operates Bath & Body Works in the UK through its partnership model, has secured a 1,797 sq ft unit at The Mall for the new concept, marking its first standalone presence in the region.
Flagship Expansion and New Store Concept
Alongside the Bath & Body Works opening, Next will upsize its existing clothing store at Cribbs to a larger 47,000 sq ft space. The company says this expansion will enable it to showcase more fashion and accessories, creating a flagship destination for shoppers. The move underscores Next's confidence in the centre's performance, with the retailer describing its current Cribbs store as among its best in the country.
Katie Searle, director of asset management at Sovereign Centros from CBRE, highlighted the significance of the investment: “Cribbs has become a hub for brands to test new store concepts and product ranges to help them stay ahead of the competition. The Next at Cribbs Mall is among the retailer’s best stores in the country so we are not surprised that they are bringing Bath and Body Works to Cribbs whilst committing to a major upgrade of their space to create new flagship concepts for the South West.”
Showroom for the Region
Searle added: “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.” The investment follows a series of high-profile openings and expansions at The Mall, reinforcing its position as a leading retail destination.
Recent Retail Investments at Cribbs
Marks & Spencer completed a full refit of its 103,000 sq ft store at the end of 2024, introducing a market-style foodhall and café, while expanding its footwear department and upgrading its beauty section. H&M also opened a new regional flagship at Cribbs that year, incorporating new tech features across the store, and Boots invested in a modernised beauty hall featuring more than 30 premium brands.
Other retailers to open within the shopping centre in recent months include Miniso, AllSaints, Animal, Levi’s, and Rodd & Gunn. This influx of new brands reflects Cribbs' growing appeal to both national and international retailers.
Visitor Growth and Market Performance
According to CBRE, Cribbs’ retailers have experienced a 26 per cent rise in domestic visitors over the past year, alongside a 13 per cent growth in Gen Z shoppers. These figures highlight the centre's ability to attract a diverse and expanding customer base, making it an attractive location for brands looking to test new concepts.
Sovereign Centros from CBRE provides full asset management services across Cribbs on behalf of M&G Real Estate, with Time Retail Partners and Cushman & Wakefield serving as retained letting agents. Green & Partners has been retained in a leasing advisory role, ensuring continued strategic development of the centre.
