Next Please

Next reported a strong Christmas trading update, with full-price sales up 5.7 per cent over the nine weeks, driven by their strategy of avoiding discounts. Online sales, a key growth driver, continue to surge, accounting for around half of the company’s business. Overseas sales also grew by 18 per cent in the first half, showing substantial growth potential in international markets. Despite economic challenges, Next’s strong high street presence, with favourable leases and out-of-town retail focus, provides flexibility and resilience. The company’s balance sheet is healthy, with decreasing debt levels, and they plan to return approximately £525 million to shareholders through dividends and share buybacks in the coming year, well supported by cashflows, even after acquiring FatFace.