Next’s collaboration with Homebase will be available in stores from 12 April as non-essential shops across England open their doors to the public once again. The retailer will now feature a garden center section in some stores, as part of a new partnership with Homebase.
Garden by Homebase at Next will see the two retail giants join forces to offer gardening tools and plants as well as advice to shoppers, with the addition of knowledgeable Homebase staff in mini garden centers at some Next stores.
The new garden center sections will be available in the Shoreham, Ipswich, Warrington, Camberley, Bristol and Sheffield locations. Since the forced closure of the already struggling British High Street at various points throughout the pandemic, brands have had to pivot strategies to stay relevant and promote footfall in-store to compete with online sales.
DIY brand Homebase has long-standing expertise in the gardening sector, so the union means both retailers can benefit from the sales.
Homebase's CEO, Damian McGloughlin said he was "delighted to be joining forces with Next and bringing our garden products and expertise to its stores," adding it was well-timed as, "more and more people [are] enjoying the benefits of gardening and being outside" since lockdown.
With people spending increased amounts of time at home during the pandemic, DIY, home improvement and gardening have boomed in popularity.
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