Next is preparing to launch a significant competitor to the likes of Zalando, Amazon and eBay, with the launch of a fully supported online service which includes everything from website management to distribution and fulfilment. The third party service will draw on Next’s considerable expertise across all aspects of running and developing a profitable eCommerce business and will be offered on a fixed commission basis. It will launch with its first client later this year and is looking to develop relationships with a number of other brands.
Lord Wolfson said: “We’ll run their website and they’ll be hooked into all our services including data management, systems development and credit management.” he was keen to point out that the solution went considerably further than that offered by, say, Shopify in that Next will include all distribution and fulfilment capabilities.
Next is also exploring further developments including the licensing of brands that can draw upon its sourcing expertise as are initial clients Ted Baker and Joules. “It’s a very small business. It’s like a small acorn we’re putting into the ground,” he added.
In tandem with the development of these new avenues, Next has significantly increased its investment in its online systems including a complete updating of its website which is scheduled to take place on a modular basis without disruption to its operations.
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