Next

Next in brief

• Rank: #37 of 100 in UK's Most Powerful 100 Brands 2026; #6 of 13 in Retail & E-Commerce.
• WCRC Power Score: 66.12 out of 100.
• Founded: 1982, by J Hepworth & Son.
• Owner: Next plc, Enderby, England.
• Leadership: Lord (Simon) Wolfson, Chief Executive.
• Latest revenue: £7.0bn revenue (FY2026, year to Jan 2026, +10.8%), group revenue of Next plc, as per company filings.

What makes Next powerful

Next has turned a high-street clothing chain into a powerful online retail platform. In the year to January 2026 total group sales rose 10.8% to £7.0bn and pre-tax profit increased 14.5% to £1.16bn. Full-price sales grew 10.9%, a sign of strong demand without heavy discounting.

Its international online business is the fastest-growing part of the group, with full-price sales up 35%, while UK online full-price sales rose 8.7%. Next also runs Total Platform, providing online and logistics services to other brands, and is the majority owner of Reiss. Under long-serving chief executive Lord Wolfson, the company returned £839m to shareholders in the year through dividends, buybacks and a capital distribution, reflecting a disciplined, cash-generative model admired across UK retail.

Next's international online full-price sales grew 35% in the year to January 2026.

Why Next ranks #37

Next ranks 37th with a WCRC Power Score of 66.12, just behind NatWest and ahead of Aston Martin. Digital and financial strength (72) is its strongest pillar, reflecting record profit and a leading online platform, and positioning (68) and trust (66) are solid. Product (64) and sustainability and governance (62) are its weaker pillars and keep it from climbing higher.

The Achilles' heel

Next expects growth to slow sharply, guiding to full-price sales growth of 4.5% and pre-tax profit of £1.21bn for the current year. The Middle East accounts for about 6% of group sales, and disruption there has already added about £15m of freight and fuel costs, while higher oil prices could push up prices for consumers. Much of its success also rests on one long-serving leader.

The 2026 story

In March 2026 Next reported another record year, with pre-tax profit up 14.5% to £1.158bn on total group sales of £7,004m, up 10.8%. International online full-price sales grew 35%. It returned £839m to shareholders over the year. For 2026/27 Next guided to full-price sales growth of 4.5% and pre-tax profit of £1.21bn, and set aside about £15m for extra freight and fuel costs linked to disruption in the Middle East.

Pillar profile

Provisional desk scores out of 100, for the WCRC Business Intelligence Unit to validate.

Versus its nearest rivals

Questions people ask

Also featured in

• Most powerful Retail & E-Commerce brands
• UK's 50 Most Valuable Brands
• Fastest-Growing British Brands
• Most powerful brands in England

Key facts

Sources

• Revenue figure published by Next plc
• Company website, official announcements and press releases
• Published interviews and statements by the leadership
• WCRC Business Intelligence Unit research: consumer sentiment, ratings and reviews, search demand, media and social data