Next prepares to launch new website

British department store group Next is set to launch a separate, stand alone website this later this week, which is set to sell external

brands currently sold online on its Next Directory.

The website, known as Label (www.thelabel.co.uk), will offer brands such as Superdry and Oasis as well as high street fashion labels such as LK Bennett and Hobbs as well as Next's own brand and will launch this Thursday. The new website will incorporate Next's current online shipping service and offer free next day delivery on all customer orders placed before 10 pm.

Global retail data company, Planet Retail commented that the launch of the new site sees Next "returning to old ground". In 2008 Next launched Brand Directory, a similar concept to Label it seems, but shut down the site 18 months later and moved chosen brands to its Next Directory site.

"It certainly seems to be a response to fast-growing competitors such as Asos, but by no means signals a meaningful move away from what Next does best - namely, private label fashion," stated Planet Retail.