Next strikes franchise deal with Myntra as it ramps up Indian expansion

Indian retail giant Myntra has secured the distribution and management rights of Next, allowing it to scale Next’s omnichannel presence across the country, Retail Week can confirm.

As part of the deal, between eight and 10 Next-branded stores will open their doors in Indian cities including Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru within the next few years.

Next will also have “an extensive presence” online with Myntra and customers will be able to shop across womenswear, menswear and childrenswear.

The deal enables Next to expand in the “ever-evolving Indian market” with Myntra distributing its products on a wholesale basis.

Myntra added that the deal offers “potential” for it to introduce other Next-owned brands to the Indian market, including the likes of Reiss, Joules and Fat Face.

This comes after Next said in its latest trading update that it was “close to finalising” a franchising and licensing agreement for the brand in India, as well as holding “early-stage conversations” for similar agreements in other Asian markets.

Next chief executive Lord Wolfson said: “We are hugely excited to be working with Myntra in one of the world’s fastest-growing markets and very much look forward to seeing what can be achieved together.”

Myntra chief executive Nandita Sinha said: “We are thrilled to deepen our association with Next and strategically build its omnichannel presence in the country. With a successful trajectory of growing Next online in India, our first year of working together has resulted in establishing the right product, audience and price fit in the country.

“With a strong playbook in exponentially building adoption for global brands ground-up, we are looking forward to unlocking the next phase of growth in the brand’s India scale-up journey.”

Next launched on Myntra in 2023 and demand for the brand is said to have doubled.