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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Nov- 2019 -11 NovemberComment
What implications will the Royal Mail strike have on UK retailers?
Royal Mail workers have voted to strike over job insecurity and employment terms and conditions, raising concerns that there could be walkouts in the run-up to Christmas. The announcement comes as we approach the retail industry’s crucial Q4 period where Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Boxing Day sales all take…
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5 NovemberClothing & Shoes
Primark profits top £900m in 2019
Fashion retailer Primark has reported an 8% increase in operating profits to £913m, for the year ended 14 September 2019. The fashion chain also saw a 4.2% increase in year-on-year sales to £7.79b, and Primark’s owner ABF hailed the year of “resilient performance” from the high street retailer. Despite like-for-like…
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Oct- 2019 -30 OctoberHigh Street
Next Q3 sales affected by ‘unusually’ warm weather
Fashion retailer Next has reported a 6.3% decrease in retail sales for the three months to 26 October. The drop in sales was attributed to the group’s September trading, which was “adversely” affected by unusually warm weather. Additionally, it said “strong” sales in July pulled forward sales from August. Despite…
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Sep- 2019 -19 SeptemberHigh Street
Next profits boosted by continued online growth in H1
Fashion retailer Next has recorded a 2.7% rise in profits for the 26 weeks to July 2019, aided by a 12.6% increase in online sales. Pre-tax profits for the first half of the year were £319.6m compared with £311.1m for the same period last year. Total brand sales also increased…
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11 SeptemberHigh Street
Most valuable UK retailers ‘falling behind’ global rivals, study finds
The value growth of the UK’s top retail brands is “falling behind” that of the leading global retail brands, according to Kantar’s ‘2019 BrandZTM Top 75 Most Valuable UK Brands’ ranking. While the UK retailers in the Top 75 grew their combined value by 4% over the last year, their…
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9 SeptemberEconomy
H&M battles with landlords over rents
Fashion retailer H&M is battling with landlords over rent reductions, which could potentially see property owners bear the cost of the rising number of returned clothes. According to a report from The Times, the retailer is pushing for “total occupational deals” where it discusses with landlords a sum linked to…
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Aug- 2019 -29 AugustAdvice
Capitalising on click and collect
Many consumers are turning to click and collect for their online purchases rather than opting for home delivery. In fact, this is a growing market as shoppers recognise the convenience of picking up their goods when it suits them. For example, retailers such as Boots and Next reported that 75%…
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28 AugustAdvice
Two key pillars that define success for modern retailing
While the news shines a gloomy light on the state of a retail industry, the statistics reveal a more positive outlook. With e-commerce figures climbing year on year and retailers reporting a more engaged, communicative customer base, the industry may simply be in transition, rather than turmoil, as the model…
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21 AugustEconomy
CEO pay at the UK’s biggest companies falls by 13%
CEOs of FTSE 100 companies have seen their salary drop by 13% year-on-year to an average of £3.4m in 2018. Just under half (43) of chief executives at FTSE 100 companies saw their pay increase last year, according to figures from the High Pay Centre and Chartered Institute of Personnel…
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16 AugustClothing & Shoes
Next to replace Debenhams as Ted Baker childrenswear partner
Ted Baker has entered into a product licence agreement with Next to produce and sell its childrenswear collections. Under the agreement, which will run for an initial five-year period starting from 2020, Next will create and sell Ted Baker childrenswear products spanning baby, boys’ and girls’ clothing, shoes and accessories…
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