Next to raise dividend after Waltham Abbey land sale
Next has announced that it has sold some non-operational land near Waltham Abbey.
The sale has generated net cash proceeds after costs of £54.1 million and an exceptional profit of £16.3 million. As transactions of this nature do not form part of Next’s normal business, the profit is being classified as exceptional.
The fashion and homewares retailer acquired the land in 2021 with the intention of consolidating two of its regional distribution centres. It subsequently changed its plans for its distribution centre network which meant it no longer needed to use the land. As a result, the retailer sold the land in a transaction which was completed on 21 November 2025.
Next said the additional £54 million in cashflow increases the surplus funds it has available for shareholder distributions this year.
In its third quarter trading statement in October, it explained that, in the absence of any acquisitions or further share buybacks this year, it expected to pay a special dividend of around £3.10 per share.
The retailer has now said the additional £54 million cash inflow would raise that dividend by a further 45p.
