Next sees ‘no evidence’ for Brexit hurting sales despite profit dip as it warns of ‘challenging’ 2019
Profits slipped at Next last year, the high street stalwart said today as it warned the outlook for the high street will remain “challenging” in 2019.
However, it said Brexit is not a factor, with boss Lord Simon Wolfson saying there is “no evidence that this uncertainty is affecting consumer behaviour”.
Read more: Next shares climb as it defies Christmas fears with online sales boost
The figures
Profit before tax fell 0.4 per cent to £722.9m in the year to January, compared to the same period the year before.
Group sales rose 2.5 per cent year on year to £4.22bn, but 14.7 per cent growth in online orders to £1.92bn masked an eight per cent drop in in-store retail sales to £1.96bn.
Net debt rose to almost £1.1bn from £1bn the year before as the retailer spent £129m on stores, warehousing and IT systems, while cashflow stood at £321m for the year.
Earnings per share increased 4.5 per cent to 435.3p while Next outlined a 4.4 per cent rise in the ordinary dividend to 165p per share, including a final dividend of 110p per share.
Why it’s interesting
Next’s investors already knew what was coming after a January profit warning, but the retailer’s results show that the high street remains a tough place to operate for most of its inhabitants.
The fashion store chain has predicted a 10 per cent annual decline in like-for-like sales, however, it is sticking to guidance despite warning of more trouble in the coming year.
It predicts earnings per share to grow by another 3.6 per cent this year, while sales growth of 1.7 per cent will contrast with another marginal decline in profits of minus 1.1 per cent to £715m.
Chief executive Lord Simon Wolfson added that the government’s proposed tariffs regime after Brexit would save Next up to £15m on sourcing goods, a saving it would pass onto consumers.
Adding that there is no evidence that Brexit uncertainty has hurt Next, he said: “Our feeling is that there is a level of fatigue around the subject that leaves consumers numb to the daily swings in the political debate.”
Next's share price fell three per cent to 5,030p in early morning trading.
Tom Stevenson, investment director from Fidelity Personal Investing’s share dealing service, said Next has done well in a difficult environment.
“Next has shown that its blend of High Street presence and strong online offering is the only way to survive and thrive,” he said.
“Wolfson is the sector’s most intelligent and thoughtful chief executive. He understood sooner than anyone the winds of change blowing through the high street and he has positioned Next for the challenges ahead. It won’t be a smooth flight but at least the pilot’s got his eyes wide open.”
What Next said
Chairman Michael Roney said: “Even though the high street looks set to remain challenging our online business continues to increase its contribution to sales and profit of the group.
Read more: Like-for-like sales fall at fashion retailer French Connection
“The board continues to be focused on building shareholder value through the delivery of long term sustainable growth in earnings per share.
“Our core strategy remains unchanged; focus on our customers, products and profitability, continuing to build on the capabilities of our brand and online platform and returning surplus cash to our shareholders.”