UK Retailer Next Ups Stake in Reiss as Warburg Pincus Exits

Fall fashions are displayed at a JCPenney store in Frisco, Texas, Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Fall fashions are displayed at a JCPenney store in Frisco, Texas, Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
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UK Retailer Next Ups Stake in Reiss as Warburg Pincus Exits

Fall fashions are displayed at a JCPenney store in Frisco, Texas, Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Fall fashions are displayed at a JCPenney store in Frisco, Texas, Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Britain's Next agreed a deal to raise its stake in upmarket fashion chain Reiss Group to 72% from 51%, after the retailer teamed up with the Reiss family to buy Warburg Pincus's shares for 128 million pounds ($162 million).
Next, one of the UK's biggest clothing chains, has added a number of well-known brands to its stable in recent years, including parts of retailers such as Cath Kidston, Joules and Made.com.
Following the latest deal, the Reiss family's holding will rise to 22% and the management team will hold 6%.
Next said on Friday that Reiss had performed "exceptionally well" since it first invested in March 2021 and as such it decided to snap up the stake being sold by private equity firm Warburg Pincus.
In the 12 months to the end of January, Reiss's sales rose 26% year-over-year to 325 million pounds, while pre-tax profit was 51% higher at 52 million pounds.
Reiss's online operations are contracted to Next through its Total Platform business, which also provides warehousing and distribution services to Reiss, helping drive Reiss's growth overseas.
The deal is subject to regulatory approvals, Next said.



Fashion Commission Launches 'Traditional Handcrafts Revival in Saudi Fashion' Competition

Fashion Commission Launches 'Traditional Handcrafts Revival in Saudi Fashion' Competition
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Fashion Commission Launches 'Traditional Handcrafts Revival in Saudi Fashion' Competition

Fashion Commission Launches 'Traditional Handcrafts Revival in Saudi Fashion' Competition

Saudi Arabia’s Fashion Commission launched on Tuesday the “Traditional Handcrafts Revival in Saudi Fashion” competition to promote traditional Saudi attire and emphasize Saudi cultural heritage.

The competition, launched in alignment with the Ministry of Culture’s Year of Handicrafts 2025, aims to boost and preserve Saudi cultural identity, while fostering local talent in the realm of creative design.

The competition will equip participants to acquire advanced knowledge about traditional fashion design and Saudi handcrafts, bolstering technical and creative design skills and gaining a deeper understanding of Saudi heritage and architecture.

The winning design will be announced on February 16 and displayed at the Fashion Commission’s exhibition at the Saudi Cup 2025 in celebration of Saudi Founding Day.

Participants will attend a five-day workshop led by expert professionals, with the workshops covering four key areas: traditional fashion design, Saudi heritage and architecture, fashion handcrafts, and creative fashion skills.

Participants are invited to create distinctive fashion pieces that incorporate elements and characteristics reflective of local traditions and design artistry in the Saudi culture.

Following the creative process, participants will submit their creations to be assessed by a specialized panel of experts selected by the Royal Institute of Traditional Arts (Wrth).

The Traditional Handcrafts Revival in Saudi Fashion competition seeks to enhance awareness of traditional handcrafts in the Kingdom, preserve Saudi cultural identity, and develop local talent in the field of creative design by providing training and guidance opportunities to participants throughout the whole duration of the competition.