NEXT is reportedly considering a takeover of British handbag brand Radley, just months after its acquisition of footwear brand Russell & Bromley through an insolvency process.
The retail chain is said to be in discussions with advisers to Radley’s owner, private equity firm Freshstream, regarding a potential deal to acquire the brand and its intellectual property assets.
This would mark the latest strategic acquisition for NEXT, following a series of deals involving well-known high street names such as FatFace, Joules, Cath Kidston and Seraphine, where the focus has typically been on brand value and intellectual property rather than physical store portfolios.
However, NEXT is not the only party interested in Radley. It is also reportedly in talks with US-based Gordon Brothers, which acquired value retailer Poundland in 2025 and is the former owner of Laura Ashley.
In March it was announced that Radley was undergoing a strategic review, following a challenging period for the brand. Over the past three years, it has been implementing a transformation strategy under CEO, Nick Vance. The company outlined plans to reposition itself as “a modern British icon of accessible luxury” following the release of its 2024 financial results.
Mr Vance commented last year that the business was targeting growth as it refined its proposition with a more contemporary design direction, led by its first-ever Design Director, Fernando Soriano Iglesias, who joined from brands including Calvin Klein and Carolina Herrera.
In its financial report covering the year to April 2025, Radley reported growth across direct-to-consumer, digital and licensing channels, although wholesale performance declined, partly due to technology challenges and partners shifting towards drop-ship and marketplace models.
