Next plc
British multinational fashion and home-products retail group operating the Next brand and a portfolio of partner and acquired businesses.
Last updated October 31, 2026
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Overview
Next plc is a British multinational retailer whose principal consumer brand is Next, styled as NEXT. The group sells clothing, footwear, accessories, home furnishings, beauty products and related merchandise through a combination of physical stores, e-commerce and home-shopping operations. Its headquarters are in Enderby, near Leicester, although the company traces its corporate history to the nineteenth-century British tailoring and ready-to-wear business Joseph Hepworth & Son. The modern Next business emerged from the redevelopment of Kendall & Sons, a womenswear retailer acquired by Hepworth in 1981. George Davies proposed using the Kendall stores to create a new fashion chain called Next. The first Next shops opened in February 1982, and the conversion of the Kendall estate was completed by the end of 1983. Next subsequently expanded into menswear, interiors and childrenswear, creating larger multi-category stores rather than maintaining a narrowly focused womenswear format. In 1986 the group moved its headquarters from Leeds to Leicester and changed its corporate name to Next plc. The company experienced rapid growth during the 1980s, adding stores, catalogues and new categories. It acquired Combined English Stores and the Grattan catalogue business in 1987, helping establish a home-shopping operation that later developed into Next Directory. Expansion became excessive, however, and the business suffered a severe downturn in 1988. George Davies was dismissed, the share price fell sharply and the group disposed of a large jewellery-store operation. Next survived by restructuring its estate and business model, eventually developing a more disciplined combination of retail stores, catalogue sales and direct online commerce. Next Directory became an important part of the group's multichannel strategy. The company later built a substantial online operation serving the United Kingdom and international customers, while maintaining a large domestic store network. Its international business includes stores, websites and franchise or partner arrangements across Europe, Asia and the Middle East. The group has also developed sourcing and logistics capabilities and sells products from selected third-party brands alongside its own Next ranges. Next has broadened beyond its core own-brand fashion offer through acquisitions, licensing arrangements and joint ventures. Its portfolio has included Lipsy, a younger women's fashion brand; operations connected with Victoria's Secret in the United Kingdom; a partnership with Gap for UK digital distribution and in-store concessions; and acquisitions or rescue transactions involving Made.com, Joules and Cath Kidston. These transactions reflect a strategy of using Next's digital, fulfilment, sourcing and retail infrastructure to support additional brands. The company is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index. It has been described as one of the United Kingdom's largest clothing retailers by sales. Its present business is principally a digitally integrated retail platform: stores support shopping, collection and returns, while websites, fulfilment systems, brand partnerships and international distribution extend the group's reach beyond its physical estate. Alongside commercial growth, Next has faced scrutiny over employee pay, consumer-protection compliance, pricing in Ireland and alleged labor-rights issues in its supply chain.
History
Next plc's corporate ancestry reaches back to 1864, when Joseph Hepworth established a tailoring business in Leeds. Initially operating as Joseph Hepworth & Son, the company expanded rapidly and became an important British chain retailer, particularly in ready-to-wear suits. By the late nineteenth century it had developed a substantial network of outlets. In 1963, Hepworth brought in Savile Row designer Hardy Amies to help refresh its ready-to-wear offer. The immediate predecessor of Next was Kendall & Sons, a womenswear retailer acquired by Hepworth in 1981 from Combined English Stores. The acquisition gave Hepworth more than 600 high-street shops and created the opportunity to complement its predominantly menswear Hepworth chain with a dedicated womenswear format. Terence Conran, then chairman of Hepworth, recruited George Davies to work on the project. Davies instead proposed a new retail concept called Next, initially based on converting Kendall stores. The first Next shops opened on 12 February 1982, and the Kendall conversion was completed by the end of 1983. Davies became chief executive in 1984 and converted approximately 50 Hepworth stores to the Next format. The business expanded from women's clothing into menswear, allowing larger stores to function as small department stores. Selected locations also introduced Next Interiors, extending the brand into home products. In 1986 the group moved its headquarters from Leeds to Leicester, closer to important garment-manufacturing centers, and adopted the name Next plc. Expansion continued in 1987 through the acquisition of Combined English Stores and the Grattan catalogue operation. Next added childrenswear and developed the Next Directory, establishing a home-shopping channel alongside its stores. The pace of growth proved unsustainable. By 1988 the group had over-expanded, some stores were unable to cover their rents and the company approached a financial crisis. Davies was dismissed, the share price collapsed and the group sold 433 jewellery stores, principally trading under the Salisburys and Zales names, to Ratners Group. The subsequent business was rebuilt around a more controlled store estate, catalogue sales and an increasingly sophisticated direct-to-consumer operation. Next Directory became a significant channel and later evolved into a large online business. The company continued adding categories and international distribution, while using its sourcing and logistics capabilities to support own-label fashion and external brands. During the 2000s and 2010s, Next widened its portfolio and geographic reach. It acquired Lipsy in 2008, launched a US online catalogue in 2009 and introduced localised cross-border sales to Ukraine in 2014. Its operations came under scrutiny over Irish pricing and compliance with UK distance-selling rules, while labor organizations and commentators criticized its wages relative to the voluntary living wage. The group increasingly operated as a platform for multiple brands rather than only as a conventional store chain. In 2021 it agreed to manage Gap's UK website and host Gap concessions in selected stores. In 2022 it acquired Made.com's brand and selected assets after administration and joined Tom Joule in the purchase of The Joules Group. In 2023 it acquired Cath Kidston's intellectual property and digital assets after that retailer entered administration, without taking on its remaining stock or four-store estate. These transactions illustrated Next's use of its digital commerce, fulfilment, sourcing and retail infrastructure to extend into adjacent brands and categories. Next remains a listed UK retail group with a substantial domestic store network, international outlets and a large online customer base. Its business combines Next own-brand clothing and home products with partner brands, licensing arrangements, acquisitions and financial or catalogue-related services. The group has also faced ongoing scrutiny of labor practices and supply-chain standards, including allegations in 2023 concerning forced labor in a China-linked textile supply chain.
- 2023
Cath Kidston intellectual property acquired
[1]Next acquires the Cath Kidston brand, domains and intellectual property following the retailer's administration.
- 2022
Made.com and Joules transactions
[1]Next acquires selected Made.com assets and joins Tom Joule in acquiring The Joules Group out of administration.
- 2021
Gap UK partnership announced
[1]Next agrees to operate Gap's UK website and host Gap concessions in selected stores.
- 2009
US online catalogue launched
[1]Next begins offering a localized online catalogue to US customers.
- 2008
Lipsy acquired
[1]Next adds Lipsy, a younger women's fashion brand, to its portfolio.
- 1988
Expansion crisis and leadership change
[1]Over-expansion causes a major downturn; George Davies is dismissed and the group sells its jewellery-store operation.
- 1987
Combined English Stores and Grattan acquired
[1]Next expands its retail and catalogue capabilities through the acquisition of Combined English Stores and Grattan.
- 1986
Headquarters move to Leicester and corporate name changes
[1]The group relocates from Leeds to Leicester and becomes Next plc.
- 1983
Kendall conversion is completed
[1]The conversion of Kendall's stores into Next locations is completed, establishing the new chain's initial estate.
- 1982
First Next stores open
[1]The first Next shops open on 12 February as Kendall stores begin conversion to the new format.
Products and positioning
A broad, mainstream-to-premium British multichannel fashion and home retailer, combining own-brand products with third-party brands and a large digital and fulfilment platform.
Own-brand apparel · 1982
NEXT Fashion
The core Next range covers women's, men's and children's clothing, footwear and accessories. It is sold through stores, the Next website and the Directory home-shopping channel, and is positioned as broad, accessible British fashion rather than as a specialist luxury or discount proposition.
Home furnishings
NEXT Home
Next Home extends the brand into furniture, soft furnishings, lighting, decorative products and other household merchandise. The concept began with interiors departments in selected stores and later became a significant online category supported by the group's delivery infrastructure.
Catalogue and e-commerce · 1987
Next Directory
Next Directory began as the group's catalogue operation and developed into an integrated home-shopping and online retail service. It allows customers to buy Next products remotely and supports the company's multichannel model, including delivery, collection and returns linked to stores.
Younger women's fashion
Lipsy
Lipsy is a younger women's fashion label acquired by Next in 2008. It operates as a distinct brand with its own product identity and is distributed through wholesale, retail and online channels.
Multi-brand retail
Partner and acquired brands
Next's platform also supports selected external brands, including Gap and Victoria's Secret in the UK, as well as brands acquired or rescued through transactions involving Made.com, Joules and Cath Kidston. The arrangements vary between websites, concessions, licensing, joint ventures and ownership of intellectual property.
Controversies
2026
Next recalls Mint Velvet sandals over fall risk
Next recalled two styles of Mint Velvet Raya Espadrille Wedge Sandals after the footbed was found to potentially detach from the wedge heel during use, creating a risk that users could fall and be injured. Next contacted customers who bought the affected sandals directly and advised owners to stop wearing them and follow its instructions to arrange a refund or replacement.
2023
Allegations concerning forced labor in the supply chain
Research from several organizations alleged that Next made use of forced labor involving Uyghurs through a China-based textile supplier. The issue concerns supply-chain due diligence and should be represented as a reported allegation rather than an adjudicated finding.
2014
Living wage and low-pay criticism
The Living Wage Foundation and other commentators criticized Next for not paying the voluntary UK living wage to relevant employees. The debate focused on the contrast between the company's commercial performance and pay levels in retail roles.
2010
Distance-selling delivery charge controversy
A BBC investigation reported that Next charged customers for delivery even when goods were returned within the statutory distance-selling cancellation period. Next acknowledged the practice and promised to bring its procedures into compliance; Trading Standards criticized the company's explanation.
Marketing campaigns
- 2010Parisian chic seasonal campaign
United Kingdom
A seasonal advertisement directed by Ben Watts was filmed beside the River Seine and presented a Paris-inspired fashion theme, featuring Emanuela de Paula and Jon Kortajarena.
Outcome. The campaign supported the autumn fashion range and reinforced Next's use of fashion-led television advertising.
- 2007Twenty-fifth anniversary television campaign
United Kingdom
Next returned to television advertising after a long period in which it generally promoted itself mainly around sale periods. The campaign marked the company's 25th anniversary and used Alessandra Ambrosio, the song "Suddenly I See" and Next employees as supporting cast.
Outcome. The campaign formed part of a broader investment in stores, products and marketing after disappointing comparable sales.
Brand decisions
2023
Acquire Cath Kidston intellectual propertyM&ABackground
Cath Kidston entered administration and its brand assets were offered separately from remaining stock and stores.
Action taken
Next acquired the brand name, domain names and intellectual property, while administrators arranged the sale of remaining stock and closure of four stores.
Aftermath
Next obtained control of the brand platform without taking on the full legacy store estate.
Transaction value. £8.5 million (March 2023)
2022
Acquire Made.com assetsM&ABackground
Furniture retailer Made.com entered administration.
Action taken
Next acquired the Made.com brand and selected assets.
Aftermath
The transaction extended Next's home-products and digital-brand portfolio without constituting a purchase of the failed company as a whole.
2022
Join the acquisition of JoulesM&ABackground
The Joules Group entered administration and required a buyer for its brand and operating assets.
Action taken
Next entered a joint venture with Tom Joule to acquire the business, with Tom Joule retaining a minority interest.
Aftermath
Next gained a strategic position in the Joules brand while Tom Joule remained involved as a significant minority shareholder.
Transaction value. £34 million (December 2022)
2021
Partner with Gap in the United KingdomM&ABackground
Gap announced the closure of its directly operated UK stores but sought to retain a UK commercial presence.
Action taken
Next agreed to manage Gap's UK website and place Gap concessions in selected Next stores.
Aftermath
The arrangement gave Gap continued UK distribution through Next's digital and physical infrastructure.
1987
Build a catalogue and multi-channel businessStrategyBackground
Next sought to extend its store proposition beyond physical high-street locations.
Action taken
The group acquired Combined English Stores and Grattan and added childrenswear and the Next Directory.
Aftermath
Catalogue and later online sales became a central component of Next's multichannel model, although the period also contributed to excessive expansion.
1982
Create the Next retail formatStrategyBackground
Hepworth needed a womenswear chain to complement its predominantly menswear stores after acquiring Kendall & Sons.
Action taken
George Davies developed the Next concept and began converting Kendall stores into a new multi-category fashion format.
Aftermath
The format expanded into menswear, interiors and childrenswear and became the group's principal consumer brand.
Recent events
- Unconfirmed
Next recalls Mint Velvet sandals over fall risk[3]
Reported:
Next recalled two styles of Mint Velvet Raya Espadrille Wedge Sandals after the footbed was found to potentially detach from the wedge heel during use, creating a risk that users could fall and be injured. Next contacted customers who bought the affected sandals directly and advised owners to stop wearing them and follow its instructions to arrange a refund or replacement.
WRAP launches Textiles Collections Transition Programme with NEXT, Primark and Tesco funding Phase One[4]
Global environmental action NGO WRAP published the first output of its Textiles Collections Transition Programme, a UK initiative to redesign how post-consumer textiles are collected, sorted, reused and recycled. Retailers NEXT, Primark and Tesco are among the stakeholders backing the industry-wide initiative and are funding Phase One of the programme, which now moves into a co-design phase with a Blueprint due to be published in Spring 2027.
Gap and Next announce UK and Ireland joint venture plans[5]
Gap announced plans to enter a joint venture with Next for its UK and Ireland business beginning in 2022. Next is to hold a 51% stake and Gap a 49% stake.
Next announces plans to reopen some stores[6]
Reported:
Next announced plans to reopen some of its stores after lockdown is lifted. The article describes a plan, not completed reopenings.
Next announces temporary closure of UK warehouses and suspension of online orders[7]
Reported:
Next announced that it would temporarily close its UK warehouse and distribution operations and stop taking online orders from 6 p.m. on March 26, 2020, after warehouse staff raised concerns about working during the coronavirus pandemic.
Sources7 sources
- 1Next plcen.wikipedia.org
- 2Next plc official corporate websitenextplc.co.uk
- 3Next recalls Mint Velvet sandals over fall riskperthnow.com.au
- 4WRAP推出纺织品收集转型计划，NEXT、Primark与Tesco资助第一阶段livenews.co.nz
- 5Gap与Next宣布英国及爱尔兰合资计划fibre2fashion.com
- 6Next宣布计划重新开放部分门店heart.co.uk
- 7Next宣布暂时关闭英国仓库并暂停线上订单wakefieldexpress.co.uk
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