High street giant Next has announced it will close the doors of all its more than 500 UK stores for two consecutive days over the festive period, with shoppers unable to visit until the weekend.
Festive Closure Confirmed
The retailer has confirmed that all its stores will be shut on both Christmas Day and Boxing Day. This means customers looking for a post-Christmas shopping trip will have to wait until Saturday, December 27, when branches are scheduled to reopen.
That Saturday morning marks the official start of Next's highly anticipated End of Season Sale. A spokesperson for the chain stated: “Our stores will be closed on Christmas Day & Boxing Day. The End of Season Sale will take place on Saturday December 27 at 6am.”
Major Sale Launch Details
When the sale begins, Next is promising significant discounts, with at least 50% off a vast array of items. The reductions will span across men's, women's, and children's clothing, as well as homeware.
The retailer has urged customers not to miss out on the "amazing clearance" event. In a statement, Next highlighted the variety on offer: "From stylish dresses and handbags to smart suits and shoes, we've got something for everyone. And with such incredible discounts on offer, now's the perfect time to stock up on essentials and treat yourself to something special."
The sale will also feature a wide selection of discounted shirts, jackets, and bags, alongside "cute and comfortable" clothing for babies and children of all ages. Next has warned that the clearance "won't last forever," encouraging shoppers to browse early to secure the best deals.
Retail Resilience in Challenging Times
The announcement comes as Next continues to demonstrate robust performance in a difficult market for many retailers. The FTSE 100 company, which now holds the UK rights to US brands Gap and Victoria’s Secret and has stakes in labels like Reiss and Joules, is often compared to rivals such as Marks & Spencer.
Julie Palmer, a partner at the advisory firm Begbies Traynor, commented on Next's standing: “Next has once again proven why it’s the gold standard in UK retail. At a time when many retailers are feeling the squeeze from rising costs, weak consumer confidence and uncertainty around the next budget, Next appears largely immune to such pressures.”
She added that with a growing international presence and consistently strong UK performance, the retailer "remains firmly on a winning streak."
This view was echoed by David Hughes at Shore Capital, who noted that Next's pace of growth was "materially above guidance." He said: “This strong performance despite a challenging consumer environment is a reflection of the quality of the Next proposition.”
