Next news and archive

Loughborough fashion students impress NEXT with sustainable capsule collections

Second-year students from Loughborough University’s School of Design and Creative Arts have earned praise from high-street retailer NEXT after designing sustainable capsule collections for a live industry brief. The project challenged students to develop six-look ranges that combine trend-relevant fashion with environmental responsibility for a...

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Next board member exits after 40 years, new sales and marketing director named

British retail giant Next has announced the planned departure of Jane Shields from its board, bringing to an end a 40 year tenure for the executive. She will retire from the company in May 2026. Shields first joined Next in 1985 as sales director, before moving up into roles of increasing responsibility to eventually become group sales,...

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Business

Next records surge in Christmas sales and raises full-year profit outlook

Next Plc issued a robust trading update today, revealing that full-price sales for the nine weeks ending 27 December 2025 climbed 10.6 percent compared to the previous year. This performance significantly exceeded the Group's earlier guidance of 7 percent for the period, driven primarily by a massive surge in international demand. Highlights of...

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Next reportedly mulling LK Bennett rescue bid

British retail giant Next is said to be among the parties eyeing a rescue bid for ailing fashion brand LK Bennett. According to sources for Sky News, Next is reportedly mulling a “cut-price offer” for LK Bennett and other intellectual property assets as the brand readies itself for administrator intervention. LK Bennett’s small estate of retail...

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Next said to be among suitors for Russell & Bromley takeover

British retailer Next is reportedly among a string of suitors eyeing an acquisition of Russell & Bromley. The family-owned footwear business announced in October that it was seeking external financing as part of the next phase of its ReBoot turnaround plan. Next is said to be among the interested parties, according to sources for Sky News, with...

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Next sells plot of land for 54.1 million pounds

British retail giant Next has sold a plot of land in Essex generating the company net cash proceeds after costs of 54.1 million pounds. In a regulatory filing, Next said the transaction also brings in an exceptional profit – meaning the deal does not form a part of its normal business – of 16.3 million pounds. The plot of land, located near...

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Retail

Global brands intensify focus on India’s fast-expanding consumer base

Global fashion and luxury brands are increasingly shifting their focus to India as growth in mature markets stagnates, according to a report by The Economic Times. The attraction is grounded in India’s large population of aspirational, younger consumers with rising incomes — a demographic that is reshaping spending patterns and brand strategies....

Retail

Gap to return to UK retail, plots three new standalone stores

Gap is set to return to brick-and-mortar retail in the UK with the opening of three new standalone stores. According to Drapers, the brand, which had shuttered its UK and Ireland stores back in 2021, has plotted new locations across London in a bid to grow and elevate its store footprint in the region. Its new sites are located in Westfield...

Retail

Laura Ashley to open first UK store under new owners

British fashion and home heritage brand Laura Ashley is set to open its first standalone store in more than five years at the Lakeside Retail Park in Essex on September 26. The opening marks the first bricks-and-mortar UK store under new owners Marquee Brands, the New York-based brand accelerator and owner of 17 brands, including Ben Sherman,...

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FatFace expands into Germany via Zalando

FatFace has entered the German market through a new partnership with e-commerce platform Zalando. The launch reflects the British brand’s ongoing strategy to build up its international multichannel offering. FatFace’s womenswear and menswear collections will now be available to shop on Zalando’s German site, alongside its premium womenswear...

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Business

Next rescues Seraphine from administration, upgrades full year profit guidance

Next is continuing its acquisition spree. The British retail giant has bought maternity brand Seraphine out of administration and, as a result, 95 employees have been made redundant. The deal, valued at 600,000 pounds, includes certain assets of the Seraphine business, including the brand and intellectual property. Next said it intends to “...

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Next and Frasers said to be in running for Seraphine rescue deal

Following Seraphine’s descent into administration last week, speculation over potential saviours are beginning to swirl. Among them, British retail giants Next and Frasers Group are said to be frontrunners in potential deals to rescue the maternity wear brand. According to sources for Drapers, dubbed “several industry veterans”, the two firms...