Next posts sales rise but warns that Middle East conflict could push up prices
Next has posted an increase in full year sales but has warned that the conflict in the Middle East could add £15 million of fuel and airfreight costs in the current year.
The fashion and home retailer has also cautioned that prices could rise if the conflict persists.
Subscribe to TRBIn the 52 weeks to January 2026, Next full price sales climbed by 10.9% as total group sales rose by 10.8% to £7 billion.
The retailer also posted a 14.5% uplift in pre-tax profit to £1.16 billion, which was £8 million higher than guidance.
Next said UK sales were “encouraging” in the first eight weeks of its new financial year and were also strong overseas up to when conflict in the Middle East began.
The retailer has factored in £15 million of additional costs for this year, offset by savings elsewhere, on the assumption that the disruption lasts for three months.
However, it said: “Beyond the next three months, if we see these costs persist, then we will begin to pass costs through as higher pricing – but for today that remains a contingency not a plan. ”
Next has maintained its guidance for full price sales growth in the year ahead at 4.5% and is expecting pre-tax profit to increase by 4.5% to £1.21 billion.
