Core Viewpoint - Next has announced a deal to acquire a portion of Russell & Bromley's stock for £1.3 million, with the transaction subject to court approval expected later today [1][3]. Group 1: Transaction Details - The acquisition involves transferring Russell & Bromley's Oxford Street, King's Road, and Bluewater Shopping Centre stores to a Next license [1]. - A total of 33 stores and nine concessions of Russell & Bromley are excluded from the transaction and will continue to operate while options for them are assessed by joint administrators [2]. - The deal is being executed through a pre-pack insolvency process managed by Interpath [3]. Group 2: Company Background and Future Plans - Russell & Bromley, founded in 1879, specializes in men's and women's footwear, bags, and accessories, employing around 440 people [4]. - Next aims to secure the future of Russell & Bromley, emphasizing operational stability and expertise to support the brand's legacy in premium footwear and accessories [3]. - The CEO of Russell & Bromley stated that the decision to sell was made after a strategic review, highlighting it as the best route to ensure the brand's future [3].