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The Independent
5 minutes ago
- The Independent
Next hikes outlook after sales boosted by weather and M&S woes
Next has upped its annual sales and profit outlook once again after better-than-expected trading thanks to hot weather and disruption at cyber attack struck rival Marks & Spencer. The womenswear and homewares chain posted a 10.5% rise in full-price sales for the second quarter to July 26, with growth of 10.9% for the half-year as a whole. In the UK, sales jumped by 7.8% in the second quarter as the group said it was boosted by 'better than expected weather and trading disruption at a major competitor'. M&S had to suspend online trading for nearly two months from mid-April after it was hit by a major hack. Next said the recent performance and forecasts for better-than-forecast second half trading means it now expects full-year sales to rise by 7.5% and for profits to increase by 9.3% to £1.11 billion. It had previously pencilled in sales growth of 6% and for profits to lift by 6.8%. The upgrade marks the group's third in just five months. But Next said it 'remains cautious for the second half', stressing that the improved outlook is for its international arm over the next six months. It said: 'In the UK, we believe we exceeded expectations in the second quarter as a result of better summer weather and trading disruption at a major competitor. 'We do not expect either of these factors to have a material effect in the second half, and so we are not increasing our guidance for UK sales in the second half.' It believes sales growth in the UK will slow sharply to 1.9% as the jobs market starts to falter following the Government's move to hike National Insurance contributions for employers, at the same time as rising the minimum wage. Next said: 'We expect UK employment opportunities to continue to diminish as we enter the second half, with the effects of April's National Insurance changes continuing to filter through into the economy as the year progresses. 'We believe that this will increasingly dampen consumer spending as the year progresses.' But an online marketing push for its international arm is bearing fruit, helping drive sales 28.1% higher in the first half and with growth of 19.4% now expected in the final six months. The results come after Next announced late on Wednesday that it had bought Seraphine – the maternity fashion firm, whose clothes were worn by the Princess of Wales during her pregnancies – after it recently collapsed into administration. Next paid £600,000 for the brand and announced it was bringing back Seraphine's founder Cecile Reinaud as an adviser to help relaunch the fashion label.
The Guardian
6 minutes ago
- The Guardian
Pressure on Australia as allies to recognise state of Palestine; Thorpe condemns deaths in custody; and a big stick insect
Good afternoon. Pressure is growing for Australia to recognise a Palestinian state, after Canada announced it would join key allies France and the UK to formally recognise Palestine at the next UN general assembly meeting in September. The Canadian prime minister, Mark Carney, told reporters that the planned move was predicated on the Palestinian Authority's commitment to reforms, including fundamentally reforming its governance and holding general elections in 2026 in which Hamas can play no part. Carney also said Hamas must release all hostages. The UK's announcement was also conditional, with Keir Starmer saying recognition would occur by September unless Israel held to a ceasefire, calling for the nation to commit to a two-state solution. Jim Chalmers, said he won't put a timeframe on Australian recognition of Palestine but said it's 'a matter of when, not if' it happens, while the Greens called for recognition as soon as possible. The Liberal senator James Paterson said Australia should not follow other countries based on an 'artificial measure of momentum'. Bruce Lehrmann claims police destroyed exonerating evidence and pending rape trial should be abandoned, court hears After-school carer charged with producing child abuse material at six facilities across northern Sydney Sam Groth's wife Brittany publicly defends couple's relationship as they threaten legal action against minister Helen Garner praises 'serious and sensitive' Dua Lipa after musician adds Australian author to her book club FBI opens first office in New Zealand 'to counter China and cybercrime' Fears for South Australia's annual cuttlefish gathering amid deadly algal bloom A newly discovered stick insect which weighs slightly less than a golf ball may be the heaviest insect in Australia, scientists say. The new species, named Acrophylla alta, was found in the high altitudes of the Atherton tablelands in north Queensland – and scientists said the habitat could be part of the reason for its large size. Watch the video here 'These are not just statistics. They are sons, daughters, mothers, fathers, cousins, siblings, grandchildren – lost to a system that continues to harm our people.' – Lidia Thorpe The Victorian independent senator condemned the 'shameful' number of Indigenous deaths in custody, including 17 this year, as the latest figures show just four of 19 Closing the Gap targets are on track to be met. Thorpe moved a condolence motion in the Senate, supported by Labor and the Greens, extending sympathies to the families of the 17 First Nations people who have died in custody this year and urging all parliamentarians to prevent further deaths in custody. Guardian Essential report: Albanese starts second term with solid approval, but Trump presidency looms – Australian Politics podcast As Anthony Albanese readies his second‑term reform agenda, Guardian Australia's Josh Butler speaks with Essential Media's Peter Lewis about the elephant in the room: Australia's dependence on the US and how its high‑stakes defence gambles could shape both his leadership and the nation's strategic future. Listen to the episode here Sign up to Afternoon Update Our Australian afternoon update breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion Cloudbreak, near the island of Tavarua in western Fiji, is one of the best waves in the world. For decades, the long, hollow left-hand reef break has drawn surfers from around the globe; but until 2010, local surfers were forbidden from surfing the wave due to an exclusivity deal with a nearby surf resort. A decade and a half since Fiji's cabinet made all surfing areas open to the public, 16-year-old James Kusitino has just become Fiji's first professional surfer. Today's starter word is: IFF. You have five goes to get the longest word including the starter word. Play Wordiply. Enjoying the Afternoon Update? Then you'll love our Morning Mail newsletter. Sign up here to start the day with a curated breakdown of the key stories you need to know, and complete your daily news roundup. And follow the latest in US politics by signing up for This Week in Trumpland. If you have a story tip or technical issue viewing this newsletter, please reply to this email. If you are a Guardian supporter and need assistance with regards to contributions and/or digital subscriptions, please email
BBC News
6 minutes ago
- BBC News
Palace 'aware of Arsenal's interest'
When evaluating the futures of Eberechi Eze and Marc Guehi, there is less pressure on Palace to make a big decision on the many ways it is out of their hands. The England international has a £68m release clause - if a club agrees to meet that fee, then Palace are powerless in deciding his is understood the buyout expires two weeks before the window closes, which offers Palace an added layer of have a genuine interest in Eze but so far have shown no inclination of triggering the forward's release sources are also indicating that Arsenal would prefer to sell a forward before making any formal move for is also a feeling at Arsenal that Eze's best position is at number 10 - an area that Martin Odegaard and Ethan Nwaneri operate can play on the left and Arsenal may view the Palace forward as a multi-functional attacker rather than just a number are aware of Arsenal's Gunners are understood to value Eze lower than the clause and want to negotiate a deal beneath the things stand, Palace chairman Steve Parish has offered no hint he would be open to negotiating a lower price; though there is a thought at rival clubs his stance may soften later in the window, to avoid the player going into the final year of his is understood Eze is very open to joining attraction is clear, with Arsenal a contender for both the Premier League and Champions League next more on Palace from Sami
