Next
This coverage explores Next’s business strategy, operations, and performance within the UK retail sector. Reporting covers store and online developments, product ranges, financial results, marketing initiatives, supply chain management, and leadership decisions. With a focus on commercial outcomes and competitive positioning, it provides insights for retail professionals overseeing apparel, home, and multi-channel retail operations.
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Sep- 2020 -25 SeptemberCoronavirus
Thousands of ‘traditional’ retail jobs in danger, says Next boss
Next boss Simon Wolfson warned that thousands of “traditional” retail jobs are now in danger under the chancellor’s new “viability” focus. Speaking in an interview with BBC News’ business editor Simon Jack, Lord Wolfson said he did “not want to underestimate the difficulty” for “a lot of people who work…
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24 SeptemberDepartment Stores
Richest man in India interested in Debenhams acquisition
India’s richest man is reportedly one of the parties interested in making a bid to acquire Debenhams, according to Sky News. Ambani is the chairman and largest shareholder in Resilience Industries, the parent company of Reliance Retail which owns British toy retailer Hamleys. A number of parties, including Next and…
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17 SeptemberDepartment Stores
Next raises forecast amid ‘resilient’ performance
Next has announced that full price sales were down by 33% in the first half of the year, following the impact of the pandemic. Full price sales in the last seven weeks of trading were up 4% on last year, however, with the group welcoming a “strong start” with sales…
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15 SeptemberHigh Street
Next takes majority stake in Victoria’s Secret
Victoria’s Secret owner L Brands has announced it has formed a joint venture with Next which will see the retailer acquire the majority of Victoria’s Secrets’ assets. The new joint venture will operate all Victoria’s Secret stores in the UK and Ireland, subject to agreeing terms with landlords. Next will…
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Jul- 2020 -29 JulyDepartment Stores
Next performance ‘better than expected’ in Q2
Next has announced that full-price sales in its second quarter fell by only 28%, welcoming the “better than expected” results against previous predictions that sales would collapse by 50%. The retailer said that warehouse capacity has come back faster than initially planned, while store sales have been “more robust” than…
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20 JulyClothing & Shoes
UK retailers call for ‘urgent action’ to end labour exploitation
A number of fashion retailers including Asos, Missguided, River Island and M&S have called on the Home Secretary, Priti Patel, to take “urgent action” to address exploitation in the UK’s fashion supply chain. Retailers including George at Asda, Joules, Matalan, Morrisons, Mountain Warehouse, N Brown, Next and The Very Group,…
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16 JulyClothing & Shoes
Next set for Victoria’s Secret UK takeover
Next has reportedly agreed an outline deal to acquire the UK arm of Victoria’s Secret, fending off competition from Marks and Spencer and other bidding rivals. According to Sky News, Next has been chosen as the “preferred” franchise partner for the lingerie brand by Deloitte, who were called in as…
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14 JulyComment
Risk, regulation and reputation: The three ‘R’s for retailers
The three ‘R’s are the building blocks for our children’s education. The joy of re-visiting these as a parent-teacher in lockdown has not been unbridled, but a necessary and worthwhile investment that will hopefully reap dividends. Retailers devising survival strategies likewise need a diligent focus on the three ‘R’s of…
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Jun- 2020 -19 JuneAdvice
How e-commerce can maintain business continuity in the face of Covid-19
Covid-19 and the government stay-at-home and shutdown orders have wreaked havoc on the retail industry. Footfall was down 44.7% in March. High street stores without ecommerce operations saw sales collapse. Primark, for instance, saw its monthly sales of £650m a month evaporate. And whilst ecommerce retailers have the advantage of…
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17 JuneAdvice
The need for speed – How retailers can respond to consumers’ ‘mobile-first’ behaviour
The retail landscape has been altered beyond all recognition in the light of COVID. The fact that things won’t go back to how they were was recently acknowledged by the CEO of M&S Steve Rowe. He envisaged a future where customers “may never shop the same way again” after the…
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