Next

drenswear, and home interiors, and for pioneering the 'total concept look' which encourages customers to buy coordinated outfits. It has expanded through acquisitions such as Kendall & Sons, Combined English Stores, Grattan catalogue, and Lipsy, and has developed an online presence including localized cross-border sales. In recent years, Next has diversified into beauty with its in-house brand Woah and plans to open a megastore combining fashion, beauty, and home offerings.

Philosophy

Next's retail philosophy centers on offering coordinated, color-matched outfits presented as 'stories' to encourage customers to purchase multiple complementary items rather than single pieces. This 'total concept look' approach aims to provide a sophisticated, accessible fashion experience across womenswear, menswear, childrenswear, and home interiors. The brand emphasizes operational excellence, trend awareness without being overly trendy, and a multi-channel shopping experience combining physical stores and online platforms.

Sustainability

Information: No detailed sustainability initiatives or policies are explicitly mentioned in the provided sources. However, the company has faced scrutiny over pricing and consumer protection practices in the past. There is no specific information on environmental or social sustainability programs.

Founders

Joseph Hepworth, Background: Founded the original tailoring business Joseph Hepworth & Son in Leeds in 1864. He was a pioneer in developing chain stores in Britain, expanding rapidly from a tailor to a large ready-to-wear suit retailer.. George Davies, Background: English fashion designer and retailer who joined Hepworth in 1981 to revamp the womenswear chain Kendall & Sons. He created the Next brand concept, opening the first Next stores in 1982 and serving as Chief Executive from 1984. Davies introduced the 'total concept look' and expanded Next into menswear, childrenswear, and interiors, transforming it into a multi-department store format.

Background

Originating as a tailoring business in 1864, Next evolved through strategic acquisitions and rebranding in the 1980s under George Davies. It transitioned from a menswear and womenswear retailer to a multi-department store format with a strong catalogue and online presence. The company is publicly listed on the London Stock Exchange and is part of the FTSE 100 Index. It has maintained steady growth under CEO Simon Wolfson, focusing on brand integration, international expansion, and diversification into beauty and home sectors.

History

Founded in 1864 by Joseph Hepworth as a tailoring business, the company expanded into chain stores by the late 19th century. In 1981, Hepworth acquired Kendall & Sons and, under George Davies' leadership, launched the Next brand in 1982 by converting Kendall's stores. Davies expanded Next to include menswear, childrenswear, and interiors, moving headquarters to Leicester in 1986 and renaming the company Next plc. Despite rapid growth, the late 1980s saw over-expansion and financial difficulties leading to Davies' departure. The company recovered in the 1990s, streamlined operations, and continued growth. Recent milestones include acquiring a stake in Reiss (2021), launching the beauty brand Woah (2022), and plans for a megastore combining fashion, beauty, and home offerings.