Next
Next plc is a leading British multinational retailer specializing in clothing, homewares, and footwear, and is the largest clothing retailer by sales in the UK.
Company facts
- Founded
- 1864
- Headquarters
- United Kingdom
- CEO
- Simon Wolfson
About
Next plc, trading as Next (stylized as NEXT), is a British multinational clothing, footwear, and home products retailer headquartered in Enderby, England. Established in 1864, Next has grown to operate over 700 stores, with about 500 located in the United Kingdom and the remainder distributed across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. The company is recognized as the largest clothing retailer in the UK, surpassing Marks & Spencer in terms of sales since early 2012. Next plc is publicly traded on the London Stock Exchange and is a key constituent of the FTSE 100 Index. The company's origins date back to 1864 when it was founded by Joseph Hepworth as a tailoring business in Leeds. Over the years, through strategic acquisitions and expansions, notably through the launch of its first store in 1982 under the new brand Next, the company has undergone significant transformations to enhance its offerings in menswear, womenswear, and children's fashion. Not only does Next operate retail outlets, but it also has a substantial online shopping presence with more than three million active customers utilizing its Next Directory catalog.