How Next Built One of Retail’s Most Profitable Models
Disciplined inventory control, a capital-light platform and margin-first retailing are
Markets
The number of UK job vacancies has fallen to the lowest level in more than three years and unemployment has risen, signalling that businesses reined in hiring after Rachel Reeves’s October budget.
Investors expect the Bank of England (BoE) to cut interest rates from the current level of 4.75% at its February 6 meeting on better-than-expected inflation figures for December and amid concerns over stagnant economic growth.
The Eurozone’s PMI was better than expected in January, increasing from 49.6 to 50.2, but still corresponds to a stagnant economy, per ING Bank.
The European Central Bank (ECB) will meet in the coming week and another rate cut of 0.25% is widely expected, with more to come.
The Bank of Japan (BoJ) raised its target rate to 0.5%, as expected last week. Further rate hikes are expected this year.
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