Next stops its online shopping operations


While online shopping transactions have increased in the UK and across the world, Next has decided to stop its operations. The firm has advanced that the move to close down its e-commerce website was very difficult.

The current pandemic has threatened to reduce fashion sales by £11bn this year. Several retail outlets have been forced to shut their doors and researchers have predicted that the amount of money spent on clothes will decrease by 20% in the UK. This number represents the combined annual clothing sales of the three market leaders Primark, Marks & Spencer and Next. While some companies are still continuing to take online orders, the latter has said that it will not do so ‘until further notice’. This decision is following feedback from its different collaborators. The firm has advanced that it has “listened very carefully to its colleagues working in warehousing and distribution operations” who increasingly feel that they should stay at home.

The high street chain River Island and the luxury fashion retailer Net-A-Porter have also stopped their e-commerce operations. The former will complete existing online orders but will not take new ones because it has started closing down its distribution centre in Milton Keynes. The firm has said that this is to protect its staff.


Next has closed its online store

Comments