The absurdity of Next

[leccybill]

How do they get away with it? And why is still so popular?

I did use to like it. And yes, the baby and toddler clothes are still gorgeous. But I stopped ordering for me from the website or directory because the items were NOTHING like those pictured - different cuts, different fabrics, more see through etc.
Plus everything went boxy, the vanity sizing is confusing, and there's very little cotton or natural fibres to be seen.
Plus I hate the whole 'Next sale' VIP drama when it's clearly 90% bought-in sale horridness.

But - I got a giftcard for my birthday so just been to the website for a browse. Saw a few tops I quite liked but the pricing is a bit stealthy now - as in, a top in a plain colour will be £12 but the same top in a print might be £18 or even £25. What's that all about?
The only decent things I saw were sold out in mainstream sizes - there's no 'email me when back in stock' option, even Matalan offer this.
I just don't get the popularity of it at all!

And don't get me started at the local Next Outlet store near me. It's awful, never once seen anything in there worth purchasing.

I like some of the stuff, jeans, cotton tops and some of the dresses. There's a lot of synthetic fibres and some really fugly stuff. The shoes changed their width some time ago and now are as narrow as a chop stick. But it fits my shape. Pretty much any other women's clothes shops are too expensive for me. Next or the supermarket , and next feels more special to me!

I actually go quite often - reason being is that it's at our local shopping centre rather than having to trek into town and as I'm becoming rather lazy over the last few years in relation to buying clothes, my choices locally have shrunk to Next, Matalan, TK Maxx, Sainsbury's or Laura Ashley. Out of that lot Next is quite appealing !

Another think in their favour is that I find the shop quite well spaced out so it's easy to work through what they have. I agree most of it is dross, but I'm not looking to buy most of it. Summer stuff is quite good - at least they have a lot of linen and cotton items rather than a plethora of man made fibre and as I said up-thread I rate their bikinis quite highly.

I got a nice pair of jeans there recently. Tried on three pairs and the cheapest were the best - £18 which I thought a bargain for jeans. That's the first thing I've bought from Next in years. I'd never buy online as they try to make you have an account and pay later with interest and send catalogues you don't want that they try to charge you for

I got a pair of linen mix trousers and a linen mix dress today but also saw some awful things with tassels ... tassels I tell you !!! On clothes for grown women !!!

I just got a lovely handbag from them but also orders some trousers which are totally different to the ones pictured (they're comfy though even if hideous so keeping them and they were in the clearance!!)

Jeans and leggings are good from next too

I have never got the appeal of Next, people do seem to think of it as superior for some reason, when it is all cheap synthetic materials, badly made in the same places as Primark/Matalan/supermarket brands yet charging twice the price.

I always get the kids socks from there, thats about it.

Just bought this jumpsuit it's gorgeous and I DO look like the model (only older) . But generally it's more miss than hit. I still order stuff as I am tall and they do longer lengths in many items and there are still some gems to be found amongst the tat.

School uniform is reliable and the next day delivery can be a godsend.

You know they do brands ? Whistles , oasis , warehouse to name a few . Have a look online under brands . I use it for that and I paid £20 for a years next day delivery so use it all the time for brand items which are usually well priced and I've paid for the delivery charge already so it's better . I love Next's logistics but don't like their own clothes . A lot of retailers could learn from next 's logistics and customer service !

Yep - they seem to have their supply chain fine tuned.

All I think they're missing, as someone mentioned up thread, is the ability to request notification that an item is back in stock. I'm sure that some items haven't even come into stock when the directory comes out and they first appear online - many of the Tall sizes seem to be out of stock straight away and the only way to see if they come in is to remember to keep checking.

I bought 2 tanksuits for my holidays, lovely on even my Buddha belly

I live overseas and all parents I know love it as it delivers within three days and given the U.K. Exchange rate is actually cheaper than the U.K. At the moment.

I used to work there on the 90's and agree that back then stuff was way nicer.

Now I love the kids stuff and the bedding is great, washes well and is well priced especially for a super king. I get white t shirts for me but that's it.

It's like any shop; there are awful things and there are nice things.

They are pretty good for workwear; I'm currently wearing a fine knit corally-orange top with really pretty flared sleeves that cost me less than £20, and some black tailored wide-leg trousers that hang beautifully and wash well. They had some gorgeous broderie anglais tops and dresses last summer, and my absolute favourite grey skinny jeans came from Next. I like the fact that you can order by 10pm and it is delivered the next day.

BUT there is a plethora of weird asymmetric polyester, garish prints and nasty trims to wade through in-store to get to the good stuff. And the Sale stuff is very hit-and-miss, especially if you buy it online, but if you're lucky you can pick up something you had your eye on previously at a knock-down price. For example, all my Nike sportswear came from the Next Sale, and I can't complain about my half-price cashmere - it has worn well.

They do inexpensive good-quality curtains too - I think I have them just about everywhere.

DCs wouldn't touch the kid's clothes after the age of 8 or 9 - it's quite childish in design.

I actually find next to be one of the few high street stores not to be a sea of black and grey for older girls. Dd is 11 and we've brought lovely packs of shorts and tees in bright colours and skirts and dresses and cute tops.

I've brought some pretty good brightly coloured basic t shirts and vest tops for myself for like £4 each. Primark prices but better quality.

Oogle Good to know, thanks!

Well I ended up spending my gift card on some lovely bird print pyjamas which remind me of Ted Baker prints so I'm happy!

I too have gone off the place, it thinks it's something special and it's NOT. The quality is going down hill fast and prices are rising very fast. I found a cotton dress I bought last year with tags still on it cost £20 this year same dress is £24. I know prices must rise but that's a huge jump. I also find the staff can be rude from time to time but always report this and get a voucher sent out but I'd prefer good customer service.
I actually said to a friend about 6 months ago that Next had better pull its socks up or it will end up in trouble if not. I'm glad it's not just me that thinks it's gone down hill.

I too remember the days Next was tres posh. Fabric swatches in their hardback Directory. Haven't darkened their door now for more years than I can remember

I got a dress from Next on tuesday. It was lovely and the material is really good quality. Washed great as well.

Tbh its tge first thing i have bought from there in years as I always think its a but shit. I was genuinely surprised how nice this dress is.

I bought a couple of sofas from there - dreadful qualify. The seams burst open within months, this was before I had any kids so they weren't being jumped on or anything. By 12 months it looked awful and was replaced after about 2 years. Hate the adult clothes too, although still get bits there for DS4.

I do love their policy of infrequent sales and not getting involved with discount codes. I rarely buy anything in there apart from shoes and shorts, but I like the certainty of knowing they won't be cheaper at the weekend!

I don't like the Mirror, but you should the section here on the CEO of Next
www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/11-millionaires-who-voted-tory-6713773
Who voted to scrap tax credits and thinks £6.70 an hour is just fine.

Hmm I've always liked Next! Although to be fair the only thing I tend to buy for me are work dresses or if I want a cheap suit. I love their home range and most of DD and DS clothes come from there too (baby and a toddler). The big new one near me has a Costa in it too so I quite like a browse!