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- 2018 -13 NovemberGovernment
EU rules could ‘thwart’ Hammond’s business rates promise
Hammond’s plan to help high streets through a near £1bn, two year business rates cut, is set to be thwarted by European Union state aid rules, real estate agents Altus Group have claimed. The chancellor will slash business rates next April by discounting bills by a third for those retail…
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13 NovemberClothing & Shoes
John Lewis, M&S and Next sign anti-slavery agreement
Retailers John Lewis, M&S, New Look, Next, River Island and Shop Direct have signed a joint agreement to combat labour exploitation in UK textiles manufacturing. The Apparel and General Merchandise Public and Private Protocol commits signatories to work together to eradicate slavery and exploitation in textile supply chains. The retailers…
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12 NovemberAdvice
How high street retailers can make it as ‘bricks and clicks’ companies
Next year Amazon is set to celebrate its 25th birthday, although much of the high street won’t be joining the party, with an estimated 38,900 UK retail jobs being lost or affected this year alone. The roll call of businesses that have entered administration, from House of Fraser to Poundworld…
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9 NovemberClothing & Shoes
Fast fashion brands called before Parliament
A number of online only fashion retailers have been asked to give evidence as part of the Environmental Audit Committee’s inquiry into the sustainability of the fashion industry. The chair of the committee has written letters to ASOS, Boohoo, PrettyLittleThing, Amazon and Missguided, published today (9 November), to the online…
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8 NovemberAdvice
Preparing retail for what’s to come right up to and beyond Brexit
Next, one of the biggest British retail names, recently reported ‘better-than-expected’ quarterly results but raised a red flag on Brexit-related risks to its business and the industry as a whole. With threat of online competition already causing uncertainties, ambiguity around Brexit has added to the challenges keeping retailers alert. This…
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Oct- 2018 -22 OctoberComment
Black Friday is not a day, it’s a ‘bargain bonanza’ fortnight
With recent reports lamenting the demise of the high street, one could be forgiven for thinking that physical stores have had their day. However, bricks-and-mortar shops still occupy an important position in the shopping experience and no more so than in the run up to Christmas, with the frenzy kicking…
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19 OctoberAdvice
What does ‘real-time’ mean in retail?
We are living in an ‘instant gratification’ era and the way we shop is evolving. Big box retailers like Amazon and Next are proving day in day out that consumers can have items they’ve bought online speedily. Same day and next day delivery are now very much the norm. In…
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16 OctoberAdvice
How the ‘customer experience’ can improve inclusivity in-store
Next month, a number of British retailers including Asda, Marks and Spencer, Sainsbury’s, Barclays and Argos will be coming together in aid of ‘Purple Tuesday’ – the first accessible shopping day in the UK. Co-ordinated by the disability organisation Purple and endorsed by the government, Purple Tuesday is all about…
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8 OctoberClothing & Shoes
Quiz issues profit warning leading to 25% share tumble
Clothing retailer Quiz has released a profit warning, five months after announcing a revenue growth of 30%. Shares in Quiz dropped by 25% following the announcement with it claiming its recent performance was “behind our expectations” adding that the company’s performance “declined” during the second half of the financial year.…
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5 OctoberGovernment
MPs launch inquiry into top fashion retailers
Some 10 of the UK’s leading fashion retailers have been asked to submit evidence on the steps being taken to reduce social and environmental impact. The chair of the Environmental Audit Committee Mary Creagh MP has written to the chief executives of a number of retail chains. This includes Asda,…
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