British retailer Next raises profit outlook again, Retail News, ET Retail

LONDON: British apparel retailer Subsequent on Wednesday elevated its whole-yr profit outlook for the fourth time in 6 months as it noted a 5.9% increase in initially-50 % income on a two-yr foundation, benefiting from potent buying and selling due to the fact COVID-19 restrictions finished.

Up coming, which trades from about 500 shops as very well as on-line, designed a pretax earnings of 347 million lbs ($474 million) in the 6 months to July, on full-cost profits up 8.8% compared to 2019 – right before the COVID-19 pandemic began to disrupt buying and selling.

The group reported entire-price tag revenue in the last 8 months amplified 20% compared to 2019, materially exceeding its anticipations.

It lifted its total-price tag income guidance for the relaxation of the 2021-22 yr to up 10%, versus up 6% beforehand, and its forecast for pretax revenue to 800 million pounds, 36 million lbs . in advance of its past steering.

Future has shown wonderful resilience all through the pandemic, benefiting from its long-founded and nicely invested on the internet functions.

Rivals with weaker or no online business, notably Primark, noticed huge falls in income. Many others, these as Topshop-operator Arcadia, and Debenhams have gone bust.

Shares in Next, up 37% above the past 12 months, shut Tuesday at 8,080 pence, valuing the business at 10.9 billion pounds.