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.
-
Sep- 2024 -20 September
Today’s news in brief-20/9/24
In August, UK retail sales saw a 1% increase, marking a continued recovery with a 2.5% year-on-year growth, the strongest since early 2022. While overall volumes remain slightly below pre-pandemic levels, supermarkets and clothing stores benefited from warmer weather and seasonal sales. Online spending remained steady, showing a 4.3% increase…
Read More » -
20 SeptemberDepartment Stores
Next warns of store closures if equal pay appeal fails
Next has warned that store closures may be necessary if its appeal against a recent equal pay ruling fails. Last month, more than 3,500 current and former Next employees won a six-year legal fight for equal pay, with the total amount payable by the retailer estimated to be over £30m. An…
Read More » -
19 SeptemberHigh Street
Next acquires 16% stake in homeware brand Rockett St George
Next has acquired a 16% stake in homeware brand Rockett St George, further furthering the partnership following the licensing agreement between the two brands. Rockett said the strategic decision represents a “pivotal moment” in the growth of their partnership and will see Next having a director on the Rockett St…
Read More » -
19 SeptemberClothing & Shoes
Next ups guidance again as it closes in on £1bn profit
Next has announced that it has upped its full-year profit guidance by £15m, up to £995m, as it closes in on £1bn profit. This is the second time in two months that Next has increased its guidance after increasing it in August to £980m as a result of strong summer…
Read More » -
Aug- 2024 -30 AugustSupermarkets
Sainsbury’s acquires 10 Homebase stores
Sainsbury’s has announced that it has acquired 10 stores from HHGL Limited, trading as Homebase, for conversion into Sainsbury’s supermarkets. The acquired stores are in key target locations that will grow Sainsbury’s supermarket coverage across England, Northern Ireland and Scotland. Once they are converted, the shop floor area of the…
Read More » -
27 AugustNews
Today’s news in brief-27/8/24
UK shop prices have fallen for the first time since October 2021, with the BRC-NielsenIQ index reporting deflation of 0.3% in August, down from July’s 0.2% inflation. Non-food items saw a deeper deflation of -1.5%, driven by heavy discounts on summer stock, while food inflation slowed to 2%, with fresh…
Read More » -
27 AugustDepartment Stores
Over 3,500 Next workers win equal pay claim
More than 3,500 current and former Next employees have won a six-year legal fight for equal pay, with the total amount payable by the retailer estimated to be over £30m.According to Leigh Day, the firm that represented the workers, this marks the first equal pay claim of this type against…
Read More » -
19 AugustClothing & Shoes
Ted Baker to shutter remaining stores, 500 jobs at risk
The remaining 31 Ted Baker stores will permanently shutter this week, putting more than 500 jobs at risk. According to Sky News, the closures come as talks over a licensing partnership between Frasers Group and Ted Baker’s owner, Authentic Brands Group (ABG), stalled. Ted Baker has already shuttered 15 stores across…
Read More » -
6 AugustSupermarkets
Sainsbury’s to ‘transform customer experience’ with new AI deal
Sainsbury’s has announced it has signed a seven-year deal with NCR Voyix to help “transform its shopping experience”. The deal will see the supermarket upgrade its checkout technology by rolling out the NCR Voyix Commerce Platform, Point of Sale Solutions (POS) and Next Generation Self-Checkout systems to 22,500 checkouts. Sainsbury’s…
Read More » -
1 AugustDepartment Stores
Next ups FY profit guidance amid strong summer sales
Next has raised its full-year profit guidance by £20m following a period of strong trading over the summer, as sales exceeded expectations despite the drearier weather. In the second quarter of the year, full price sales were up by 3.2%, exceeding its expectations by £42m. It had initially expected Q2…
Read More »
