Next (retailer)
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Next Group PLC is a British clothes retailer, headquartered in Leicester, England. It is one of the United Kingdom's largest clothing retailers, number three behind Marks and Spencer and Philip Green's retail empire of BhS and Arcadia Group. The group has 330 stores throughout the UK, and 50 franchise branches in Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
Next was founded in 1982 when J Hepworth & Son, a tailor in Leeds, developed a womenswear chain of shops called NEXT. Two years later, a men's shop was developed. Later Next began to develop mini department stores selling women's, men's and children's clothes as well as furniture under the one roof. Stand alone furniture shops called NEXT Home were opened in 2003. Next also sells around 21% of its merchandise through the Next Directory, home shopping catalogue. All Next stores only sell their own brand label.
In the year to January 2005 Next's turnover was £2,858.5 million. Profits were £422.9 million before tax and £301.0 million after tax.
External link
- Next's main website (http://www.next.co.uk)