Next Rises: British Retailer Sees 12.5% Profit Increase in First Half

Next continues to grow. The British fashion retailer posted a profit of 1.375 billion pounds ($1.876 billion) in the first half of the year, about 150 million pounds more than in the same period last year, when it recorded 1.221,4 billion pounds ($1.666,7 billion). This is 12.5% more.

The Enderby-based British giant’s sales stood at 2.779 billion pounds ($3.792 billion), while in the same period of 2024 they stagnated at 2.469 billion pounds ($3.369 billion), it disclosed in its earnings sheet on Thursday.

By channel, retail stores generated 899 million pounds ($1.226 billion) in revenue, up 3.7% on the first half of 2024, while the online business, based in the UK, generated revenue of 1.269 billion pounds ($1.731 billion), up 11% on last year.

Next reported sales of £2,77 million ($3,79 million) in the first six months of the year

International online business also grew to £612 million, up 32.7% to £612 million. In fact, Next highlighted the growth of the international business, driven, in his opinion, by a good marketing strategy. “Everything we do is focused on converting every customer visit into sales,“ he says.

This year, the company has focused on improving products, expanding the ranges available, and professionalizing the website and delivery times. “It’s not just about making a sale, it’s about making it profitable,“ he concludes.

Despite its good performance, the company is cautious about market performance in the UK: “We anticipate poor growth,“ the document states. In addition, it points to diminishing job opportunities, “new regulations that erode competitiveness” and a growing tax burden.

However, the company expects sales growth of 4.5% in the second half of the year, bringing the full fiscal year to a 7.5% increase in sales. Profit after tax will also rise according to its forecasts, by 12.2%.