Next boss calls for UK immigration shakeup amid lorry driver shortage September 1, 2021 Lamenting the national lorry driver shortage, Next boss Lord Simon Wolfson has called on the Home Office to shape up its immigration rules to allow overseas hauliers into the UK. The trickling supply of HGV drivers has led to 94 per cent of hospitality businesses reporting problems with the delivery of products, according to trade [...]
‘Death by PowerPoint’: Next boss on Zoom and the future of remote work September 1, 2021 Next boss Lord Simon Wolfson has said endless video meetings risk “death by PowerPoint” as firms begin to feel the benefit of workers returning to the office. The retail chief, the longest serving chief executive across the FTSE 100, earlier this year likened Zoom calls to lectures – and yesterday warned digital conferences can become [...]
Next ups full-year forecasts as heatwave spurs Brits to summer shop July 21, 2021 British retailer Next is upping its full-year financial forecasts as consumers have flocked to stores in recent weeks to get their hands on clothing fit for the UK’s heatwave. The rosy outlook stoked confidence in investors as its shares rocketed in its early trading and held up highs of 8.2 per cent in the afternoon, [...]
Weekend Read: Foreign investors flee Myanmar as regime strengthens grip May 16, 2021 Businesses have continued to bow out of Myanmar after the bloody coup has killed more than 750 people and seen over 5,000 arrested for protesting the military’s forced reign. Companies began to flee Myanmar in March, like Japanese beverage group Kirin which had a $1.7bn stake in Myanmar Economic Holdings Public Company Limited, a company [...]
Next raises profit outlook on strong winter sales May 6, 2021 Next has raised its profit outlook for the second time in two months as the high street retailer reported stronger than expected sales for the winter period. The group raised its pre-tax profit guidance for the year to £720m, up from £700m forecast in April. Shares jumped 0.9 per cent to 8,200p at market open. [...]
Next CEO Lord Simon Wolfson’s pay jumps 28 per cent despite profit plunge, shut stores and furloughed staff April 20, 2021 Next boss Lord Simon Wolfson's pay jumps 28 per cent despite profit slump, closed stores and furloughed staff
Next pauses Myanmar production after year of strong online sales April 1, 2021 Next has paused its production orders from Myanmar, it’s boss said today, as the military coup grows more deadly. “We’re not placing any more orders at the moment, that is a big step,” CEO Simon Wolfson told Reuters. “Most of the stock that we were sourcing from Myanmar…we have alternatives in place already for that [...]
Next snaps up stake in womenswear brand Reiss for £33m March 10, 2021 High street giant Next has acquired a stake in womenswear retailer Reiss for £33m. The fashion firms this morning announced that Next will purchase a 25 per cent equity stake in Reiss. Warburg Pincus, Reiss’s private equity owner, said the deal values the company at around £200m. As part of the strategic partnership, Reiss will [...]
Deliveroo appoints Next boss Simon Wolfson to board January 19, 2021 Deliveroo has appointed Next chief executive Lord Simon Wolfson to its board as a non-executive director. Wolfson, who has led the high street fashion chain since 2001, took up the role this week. It comes as the food delivery platform gears up for what could be the largest initial public offering of the year. Deliveroo [...]
Next confirms consortium bid for Topshop-owner Arcadia January 5, 2021 Next has confirmed that it is part of a consortium bidding for Arcadia brands, but said it was not seeking majority ownership of Sir Philip Green’s collapsed business empire. It was reported last month that the high street retailer was holding detailed discussions with Davidson Kempner about a combined offer for Arcadia, the owner of [...]