How Next Built One of Retail’s Most Profitable Models
March 31, 2026
Disciplined inventory control, a capital-light platform and margin-first retailing are
EARNINGS
Next plc (UK) reported that in the nine weeks to December 28, full price sales were up 6.0% over last year. Group profit before tax is now forecast to be up 10.0% from a year ago.
Aritzia (Canada) reported Q3 net revenue rose 11.5% to $728.7 million. Net revenue in the US rose 23.6% to $403.7 million Net income increased 71.9% to $74.1 million.
JCPenney and SPARC Group (USA) have combined to form a new organization, Catalyst Brands, which includes Aéropostale, Brooks Brothers, Eddie Bauer, Lucky Brand, Nautica and JCPenney.
Laura Ashley (UK) has been acquired by Marquee Brands (USA), the owner of 17 brands including Ben Sherman and Martha Stewart.
Shein’s London IPO has been thrown into further doubt after it was accused by MPs of behaviour that ‘bordered on contempt’ by repeatedly refusing to answer questions over the origins of its cotton sourcing, per The Times.
Nordstrom (USA) agreed to be taken private by its founding family and El Puerto de Liverpool (Mexico) in a deal valuing the department store chain at about $6.25 billion.
Markets
Disciplined inventory control, a capital-light platform and margin-first retailing are
Brands wrapped up 2025 with stronger-than-expected earnings. However there are
Higher oil and energy costs are expected to squeeze discretionary
A fragile revenue recovery is facing pressure from tariffs, higher
In uncertain markets, heritage brands are rediscovering that reputation, craft,
Asia and South America are driving retail expansion, but success
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