AIBU to think that Next shops need better ideas than this?

[CrazyDaze1]

I’ve been listening to the radio (the Ian Dale show on www.lbc.com) and they always have a finance/market report on ‘Drivetime’.

It was stated that ‘Next’ stores have had a poor financial outcome, losing 8% in sales. Apparently they have plans to revamp some of their stores, including having in-store cafes, barber shops and possibly even a car showroom!

I can imagine that no women at executive level suggested the latter two (do they even have women in top positions at Next?)....but honestly AIBU to think that all they need to do to increase their sales - and this seems to go for all retail clothing stores these days - is to to have clothes made from natural fibres and to get rid of all the acrylic and polyester fabrics?

I don't think it's just Next though, the whole fashion industry seems to think the frillier the better...
I agree, I went into monsoon today and it’s the same in there. Peasant dresses that may look ironic if 5 foot 10 and a size 8, but on me they just make me look like my granny.

Saying that, their kids stuff is lovely. But again overpriced. I'm not paying £22 for 3 sleepsuits dd will poo through! I'll get them from Asda or Sainsbury's for under a tenner.

Why dont Next open a Primark in their Stores? That would attract customers? Or see how many shops in a shop they can fit in, so in a Next there was a Costa and in the Costa there was a car shop and in the car shop there was a pet shop and in the pet shop there was a Costa and in the Costa there was a Pat Val and in the Pat Val there was a.......... Next.

They just need to stop titting around with their clothes and learn less is more.

I often pick up something of the rail and think, 'this would be ok if only it didn't have a frill/pocket/wanky slogan/weird hem/applique...' or wasn't 100% polyester.

@GrannyGrissle

Next was revolutionary in 1987
Which was the last time I bought anything from there
It's dreary as f**

They are the C+A of this decade
Ooh we used to haunt the ‘clockhouse’ section in C&A, they were genuinely the nearest thing to mainstream teenage fashion you could get back in the early ‘80s

Our Next has a Costa in it and already had a Costa next door. It makes all the clothes have a lingering smell of cheese and bacon panini 🙄. It amazes me that no one has considered this. Beside that I agree the ladies clothes need sorting out hugely. Most of the boys clothes are just awful - really cheap and nasty designs. Boys trousers are dreadfully designed monstrosities. Their plain boys tees are nice when you can find them amongst all the appalling cartoonery and really awful graphic designs.

Next seem to get a roll of cheap fabric and make everything out of it. They pay their workforce a pittance.
Monsoon is frump central.

I agree with everyone else...they need to sort out their ugly clothes. I used to buy from Next years ago but now I dont even bother walking in.

I bought a bed from them a few months ago. It’s was a storage bed and the only one I could find that had a side opening. It was inexpensive but very cheap quality. I think that’s fair enough. Generally though I wouldn’t consider buying anything from Next. 💁🏻

Agree about the boys’ stuff too. It’s so cringey and unimaginative; diggers, footballs, ‘I’m a li’l heartbreaker’ sort of bollocks.

Also, Costa is in grave danger of bursting its own bubble. No one likes bad milky coffee that much.

Next was all about the catalogue shopping. People bought home stuff and kids' clothing as well as adult stuff. Then everyone started internet shopping, and the Next catalogue died. Ergo, Next died.

Sparkling try smuggling one in your handbag next time and see how far you get 😆

Their prices have crept up so that they are no longer cheap. They don't have enough stock in the shop- you can't see/feel/ browse anything for teenagers... You can only buy through the Directory.
Delivery service is fantastic though.

The only thing I buy there now are jeans for my very skinny grandson. I go to TK Maxx for homeware, candles, cushions etc. Far, far superior quality - the cushion material doesn't go bobbly and it is also cheaper.

Just bought the Champion brand sweatshirt for boys in there for £12 and he loves it. They also had Gant, Henri Lloyd, Northface, Vivienne Westwood etc. Like a posh jumble sale, but who cares. Better than the polyester hell of Next.

I don't even go in for a look any more. Sick of staff looking at you as if you are a nuisance when you ask why they never have the size you want. Poorly trained staff who do not understand the Sale of Goods act and that you can in fact have a refund on a faulty item. Instead they apply their own returns policy as if it is the law. No, its not. I predict it will go into liquidation. BHS, Toys R Us, who will be Next?

I see it as some kind of school wear shop for grown ups.

^ perfect description!!

When I think of Next clothes, I think of ‘workwear’ consisting of ill-fitting polyester black trousers and a frumpy nylon top in a sort of cream and black swirly pattern. It’s just the image I have and it’s not a good one.

Kids clothes are nice though.

YADNBU
I spend ALL my money for clothes in charity shops now as I can get pure cotton, real denim and cashmere. Real materials are so rare on the high street now and I can't wear natural because they make me sweat stink

*unnatural

Good to know the barbers in the Manchester one is always empty, will save my feĺla having to wait hours at supercuts hopefully :D

Next should be about clothes, not cars or coffee. Agree with most PPs that they should work that out, although Next designers is a good start: filter that eye into their mainstream offer and it will work. Not sure that price point is the problem; most of us could find a few quid more to buy the perfect whatever. The offer doesn't currently thrill this family.

I thought it was just me. Would go in and not see anything I liked and on rare occasions I did, they wouldn’t fit me properly.

Can never understand why people go so mad for their winter sales.

They pissed me off years ago by keep trying to charge me for those bloody great phone book sized catalogues. I didn't want them and couldn't get off the mailing list.

I have forgiven them, but they're only handy for their long line vests and skinny jeans. Mind you the long vests are all sold out in my size at the moment for pity's sake. Great. Just as we're all being asked to turn out thoughts to spring/summer. sigh.

Next, when it first appeared on the high street was excellent - fab designs, innovative displays, presented as a capsule wardrobe type layout. It wasn't cheap but it was good quality and deserving of its price tag. Now it is cheap tat like everywhere else