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Next Plc an Introduction to the Background of the Company

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NEXT PLC
An introduction to the background of the company

NEXT PLC is a retailing company that primarily operates in the UK, and has been trading for almost 150 years; however, the brand itself was first created in 1982 (Next plc, 2010a). The company offers a range of clothing, accessories, home ware and footwear. The company’s headquarters is located in Leicester, UK and is currently run by Chief Executive Simon Wolfson. NEXT distributes through three main channels: NEXT Retail, operating in more than 500 stores around the UK and Ireland, NEXT Directory, a website and catalogue list for over 2 million active users. And NEXT International, with chains of over 180 stores worldwide including an international website. However, NEXT also …show more content…

The company needs to distribute stock from the warehouse to the stores every week, and costs will be incurred in doing so. Since NEXT has decreased in non-current assets; in particular Property, Plant and equipment, they would need to increase the productivity and space in order to operate in warehouses and distribute stock out to additional stores nationwide. Therefore, costs will be incurred when training the work force, and in order to meet the demands of consumers, wages and salaries will increase in time.
NEXT plc, has managed to make a few acquisitions, which affects the financial position in terms of cash considerations and return on investment when acquiring 100% share capital in Lipsy Ltd. The importance of financial resources to accommodate such acquisitions, points out how financial backing can introduce new revenue streams in the long term and can lead to an increase in profits as well as the brand image of NEXT.
A general understanding of the important financial statements
Figures are taken from the Income statement and Balance sheet as at 30 January 2009 and as at 30 January 2010.
Profit is a surplus in money after taking into account all costs incurred in buying and selling a product. Operating profit is the profit made after all direct and indirect costs have been paid. (Bized, 2010a) From NEXT’s company accounts, the operating profit has increased by £51.5m. This is a positive steady increase which has been achieved throughout the

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