Following today’s release of Next’s figures for the 13 weeks ending 25 October 2025; Emily Salter, lead retail analyst at GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company, offers her view: “Next has released another enviable set of results, with its total full price sales rising by an impressive 10.5% in its Q3 FY2025/26, boosted by better-than-expected performances in the UK and internationally as it resonates with shoppers and its investments pay off. As a result, the retailer has increased its guidance for full price sales growth in Q4 from 4.5% to 7.0%, and for its full year profit before tax by £30m to £1,135m.
“Although the retailer’s sales growth in the UK slowed from its H1 (+5.4% versus +7.6%) due to the boost it received from the impacts of M&S’ cyberattack, Next still saw impressive growth and outperformed the UK clothing & footwear market. It cited improved stock levels as a driver of this, but its proposition is also clearly resonating well with shoppers, perhaps allowing it to retain some of the shoppers who had initially switched during M&S’ period of disrupted trading. Next’s range of brands and price positions allows it to cater to a wide range of consumers, including those who are focusing more on quality and trading up, while collaborations, including with Rochelle Humes, have aided its style credentials.
“Next’s 38.8% international sales growth was far better than it had forecast (+19.4%), with higher growth via its direct websites as it was able to spend more than expected on digital marketing. Sales in Europe through third-party aggregators were also better as the warehouses for its direct websites and Zalando are now merged into one operation, managed by Zalando’s logistics division ZEOS, improving its product availability on key platform Zalando. Next has proven that it has a significant opportunity for growth internationally, and this should continue as long as it keeps investing in and improving its operations to meet (or beat) the standards set by established local players.”
