Next hikes outlook after sales boosted by weather and M&S woes
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.
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South Wales Guardian
19 hours ago
- South Wales Guardian
Tesco, Asda, Lidl, Sainsbury's & more UK recall warnings
The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) has issued a number of recalls, on items sold at some of the UK's biggest supermarkets and retailers. These recalls include popular kitchen products such as Tower Air Fryers and Nutribullets. We have rounded up the recalls you should be aware of. If you have purchased any of the products below, please stop using them immediately, and contact your retailer, or see the full recall notices for more information. Shoppers at Tesco, Argos, Poundland, B&M and other popular UK stores have been issued a warning after a range of Tower Air Fryers were recalled. The Air Fryers are at risk of overheating, which can cause fires and result in them igniting during use. Six models of Tower air fryers are affected by the recall, all in black. They have been sold at a number of retailers including Tesco, Lidl, Argos, B&M, DID, Poundland, Robert Dyas and the Tower Housewares website. These are the models impacted by the recall: A spokesman for the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) warned that the air fryers did not meet the requirements of the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016. If you're riding an e-scooter, remember: lithium-ion batteries can pose a fire risk. 🔥 Only use manufacturer-approved batteries and chargers 🔥 Never buy from untrusted sellers 🔥 Get professional help for conversions 🔗 Learn more: They explained: 'The product presents a risk of fire as it can overheat and ignite during use. 'The product has been recalled from end users. Owners of affected products should stop using the product immediately and unplug it. 'For further information, including checking if your product is affected and registering your product for a refund or replacement, please access the Tower Housewares webpage.' 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Customers who bought affected air fryers have been urged to contact the supplier directly through They will then be able to see if their particular product has been affected and can access instructions for returning it. The retailer added: 'We apologise for any inconvenience caused and thank you for your cooperation.' Three popular products sold at Sainsbury's supermarkets across the UK have been recalled, as shoppers were told to 'stop using them immediately'. All of the recalled products present a fire risk, the recall warnings state. The Bosch Styline Toaster has been recalled due to a technical fault which can cause the electronics to overheat and could cause a toaster fire. (Image: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire) The affected products have codes of TAT8613GB and TAT8611GB, and the recall affects the white and black versions of the toaster. 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A spokesman said: 'A small number of units have been identified as having a battery defect that could overheat during charging, creating a potential fire risk. 'Please stop using the item immediately, and check if you have an affected product by locating the serial number on the base of the blender. 'Please visit to verify if your blender is potentially affected and if so, register to receive a replacement product free of charge." The Air Fryers affected by the Tower recall have SKUs of 141407023 and 139987372, and both the 2.2 litre and 4 litre Tower Air Fryer are included in the recall. A Sainsbury's spokesman said: 'We have been requested by Tower to alert you to a product recall impacting three Tower branded air fryers produced between January 2022 to April 2023. 'A small number of units have been identified as having a potential manufacturing default that could cause the air fryer to overheat and pose a fire risk. 'Please stop using the item immediately, and check if you have an affected product by locating the product number on the base of the air fryer. 'Once you have identified that your product is impacted. Please visit to see if the batch number means it is included in the recall. 'If it is, follow the instruction on how to return your affected product. We take the quality and safety of our products extremely seriously and would like to apologise to customers affected for any inconvenience this may cause. 'No other batches are affected by this recall.' Recommended Reading: Asda, Matalan and Amazon recalls as shoppers told 'stop using them immediately' FSA issues 'do not eat' warning over chocolate that may be a 'food safety risk' 'Do not eat' warning issued as 'unsafe to eat' sweets recalled A George at Asda product has been recalled from all stores across the UK, and anyone who has purchased it has been urged to 'stop using it immediately'. The supermarket giant has pulled the product from its stores and is asking anyone who owns it to return it to a store for a full refund. The Office for Product Safety and Standards warned that the George Baby 3-Pack Rompers with Zip sold by Asda presents a 'risk of injuries'. The recall affects all sizes of the rompers up to 24 months and impacts the following barcodes: 5059201506212, 5059201505772,5059201506137, 5059201506151, 5059201506175, 5059201505796, 5059201506113, 5059201506199, 5059201505772, 5059201506137, 5059201506151, 5059201506175, 5059201505796, 5059201506113, 5059201506199. ⚠️Here is our monthly recall roundup for May⚠️ Visit for more information.#ProductRecalls #UkRecallsAndAlerts A warning from The Office for Product Safety and Standards says: 'The product presents a risk of injuries as some of the zips have sharp edges. This may lead to babies becoming scratched and injured during use. "The product does not meet the requirement of the General Product Safety Regulations 2005. "Consumers are advised to return the product to their nearest ASDA store for a full refund." Recommended Reading: Asda apology to customers as product recalled 'Rare Queen Elizabeth II banknote sells for £150,000 at auction 'Do not eat': Lidl recall as popular snack may contain 'pieces of plastic' An Asda spokesman added: 'George Baby 3PK Zip Rompers (all sizes up to 24 months) has been identified with a manufacturing issue. "Some of the zips may contain sharp edges, which poses a risk of injury. This issue affects ALL sizes. "If you have purchased the George Baby 3PK Zip Rompers from Asda, please stop using immediately. "Bring it back to your nearest store where you will be given a full refund. You do not need your receipt. We are very sorry for any inconvenience caused. "If you would like any further information, please contact: Asda Customer Relations – 0800 952 010"
Glasgow Times
a day ago
- Glasgow Times
Tesco, Asda, Lidl, Sainsbury's & more UK recall warnings
The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) has issued a number of recalls, on items sold at some of the UK's biggest supermarkets and retailers. These recalls include popular kitchen products such as Tower Air Fryers and Nutribullets. We have rounded up the recalls you should be aware of. If you have purchased any of the products below, please stop using them immediately, and contact your retailer, or see the full recall notices for more information. Air Fryer recall Shoppers at Tesco, Argos, Poundland, B&M and other popular UK stores have been issued a warning after a range of Tower Air Fryers were recalled. The Air Fryers are at risk of overheating, which can cause fires and result in them igniting during use. Six models of Tower air fryers are affected by the recall, all in black. They have been sold at a number of retailers including Tesco, Lidl, Argos, B&M, DID, Poundland, Robert Dyas and the Tower Housewares website. These are the models impacted by the recall: T17023 Tower 2.2Ltr Manual Air Fryer T17061BLK Tower 4Ltr Manual Air Fryer T17067 Tower 4Ltr Digital Air Fryer T17087 Tower 2Ltr Compact Manual Air Fryer T17129L Tower Vortx 8L Air Fryer (Lidl) T17129 Tower Vortx 8L Air Fryer (Argos) A spokesman for the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) warned that the air fryers did not meet the requirements of the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016. If you're riding an e-scooter, remember: lithium-ion batteries can pose a fire risk. 🔥 Only use manufacturer-approved batteries and chargers 🔥 Never buy from untrusted sellers 🔥 Get professional help for conversions 🔗 Learn more: — Office for Product Safety and Standards (@OfficeforSandS) August 5, 2025 They explained: 'The product presents a risk of fire as it can overheat and ignite during use. 'The product has been recalled from end users. Owners of affected products should stop using the product immediately and unplug it. 'For further information, including checking if your product is affected and registering your product for a refund or replacement, please access the Tower Housewares webpage.' Next recall Next is recalling some of its clothing because of a risk of strangulation, as the shopping giant apologised to customers who have already purchased the clothes. The Miss Summer Dresses and Knitted Top, Shorts and Headband Outfit Set have been included in the recall. The affected item numbers are F83773, F83782, F83791, F83775, F83779, F83781 and F85623. A Next spokesman said: "Miss has made us aware of a problem with the above items. Unfortunately, it's come to light that there's a potential problem with the decorative cords on the products which are too long. "This could present a strangulation / choking hazard for children. "As the above items don't meet strict technical specifications, Miss has taken the precaution of recalling the items, and request that you return your impacted product to Next immediately for a full refund. "If you have given this item as a gift, please ask the recipient to contact Next as soon as possible. We are sorry for any disappointment caused." To arrange a collection please call us on 0333 777 8000* and choose option 1. You can also call Selfserve on 0800 587 7758 *, input your Selfserve number and select option 3. TK Maxx recall TK Maxx shoppers have been warned to stop using one of the stores products immediately after it was revealed that it contained a potentially harmful chemical. The Byblos Blu eua de toillete perfume contains Hydroxyisohexyl 3-cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde, also known as Lyral or HICC. The compound is not authorised for use in cosmetics manufacturers in Europe due to the risk of allergic reactions in sensitised individuals. The recall affects the perfumes with TJK style numbers of 898378,898370 and 898365. (Image: TK Maxx) The Byblos Blu eua de toillete perfume was sold in TK Maxx stores between January and March 2025. A spokesman for the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) said: 'The product presents a risk to consumers health due to the fact it contains Hydroxyisohexyl 3-cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde, also known as Lyral or HICC. 'This is not authorised for use in cosmetics manufactured in Europe due to the risk of allergic reaction in sensitised individuals. Recommended Reading: 'The product has been recalled from end users by TK Maxx. ⚠️ Product Recall: Byblos Blu Happy Hour Eau De Toilette sold by TK Maxx (2503-0192) presenting a risk to consumers health as it contains Hydroxyisohexyl 3-cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde, also known as Lyral or HICC.⚠️ #ProductRecall — Office for Product Safety and Standards (@OfficeforSandS) July 5, 2025 'If you have purchased this product, please stop using it immediately and return to any TK Maxx store.' A TK Maxx spokesman added: 'If you have purchased this product, please stop using it immediately and return to any TK Maxx store. 'You can get a full refund or replacement.' Lidl recall (Image: Andrew Matthews/PA Wire) Lidl has issued an urgent recall as a popular air fryer sold at the supermarket could be a potential 'fire hazard'. The supermarket is recalling the Tower eight litre dual basket air fryer which is sold in its stores. The affected air fryers have a product code of T17129L. No other Tower products sold at Lidl stores are impacted by the recall. Tower is recalling the products 'due to risk of overheating', the retailer said. It added that this could ultimately 'present a fire hazard' to shoppers who bought the item. 'If you own one of the affected models, please stop using it immediately,' Lidl said in the recall notice. Customers who bought affected air fryers have been urged to contact the supplier directly through They will then be able to see if their particular product has been affected and can access instructions for returning it. The retailer added: 'We apologise for any inconvenience caused and thank you for your cooperation.' Sainsbury's recall Three popular products sold at Sainsbury's supermarkets across the UK have been recalled, as shoppers were told to 'stop using them immediately'. All of the recalled products present a fire risk, the recall warnings state. The Bosch Styline Toaster has been recalled due to a technical fault which can cause the electronics to overheat and could cause a toaster fire. (Image: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire) The affected products have codes of TAT8613GB and TAT8611GB, and the recall affects the white and black versions of the toaster. A recall statement from producers Bosch, said: 'Bosch (BSH) is voluntarily recalling the above Styline Toaster models produced from October 2021 to April 2023 as the quality checks have revealed a technical fault which can cause the electronics to overheat and could cause a toaster fire. 'To minimize safety risks, please disconnect any affected toaster from the mains supply immediately and do not use it. 'For further details or if you have any questions, you can contact the customer care team on 01536 436236. 'Or if you would like to request a call back please email your contact details at bosch-toaster-action@ and one of Bosch team members will contact you. 'Bosch thank you for your understanding.' ⚠️Here is our monthly recall roundup for June⚠️ Visit for more information.#ProductRecalls #UkRecallsAndAlerts — Office for Product Safety and Standards (@OfficeforSandS) June 27, 2025 Sainsbury's warned shoppers that they had been informed of an issue affecting specific units of rechargeable blenders from Nutribullet. A spokesman said: 'A small number of units have been identified as having a battery defect that could overheat during charging, creating a potential fire risk. 'Please stop using the item immediately, and check if you have an affected product by locating the serial number on the base of the blender. 'Please visit to verify if your blender is potentially affected and if so, register to receive a replacement product free of charge." The Air Fryers affected by the Tower recall have SKUs of 141407023 and 139987372, and both the 2.2 litre and 4 litre Tower Air Fryer are included in the recall. A Sainsbury's spokesman said: 'We have been requested by Tower to alert you to a product recall impacting three Tower branded air fryers produced between January 2022 to April 2023. 'A small number of units have been identified as having a potential manufacturing default that could cause the air fryer to overheat and pose a fire risk. 'Please stop using the item immediately, and check if you have an affected product by locating the product number on the base of the air fryer. 'Once you have identified that your product is impacted. Please visit to see if the batch number means it is included in the recall. 'If it is, follow the instruction on how to return your affected product. We take the quality and safety of our products extremely seriously and would like to apologise to customers affected for any inconvenience this may cause. 'No other batches are affected by this recall.' Recommended Reading: Asda recall A George at Asda product has been recalled from all stores across the UK, and anyone who has purchased it has been urged to 'stop using it immediately'. The supermarket giant has pulled the product from its stores and is asking anyone who owns it to return it to a store for a full refund. The Office for Product Safety and Standards warned that the George Baby 3-Pack Rompers with Zip sold by Asda presents a 'risk of injuries'. The recall affects all sizes of the rompers up to 24 months and impacts the following barcodes: 5059201506212, 5059201505772,5059201506137, 5059201506151, 5059201506175, 5059201505796, 5059201506113, 5059201506199, 5059201505772, 5059201506137, 5059201506151, 5059201506175, 5059201505796, 5059201506113, 5059201506199. ⚠️Here is our monthly recall roundup for May⚠️ Visit for more information.#ProductRecalls #UkRecallsAndAlerts — Office for Product Safety and Standards (@OfficeforSandS) May 31, 2025 A warning from The Office for Product Safety and Standards says: 'The product presents a risk of injuries as some of the zips have sharp edges. This may lead to babies becoming scratched and injured during use. "The product does not meet the requirement of the General Product Safety Regulations 2005. "Consumers are advised to return the product to their nearest ASDA store for a full refund." Recommended Reading: An Asda spokesman added: 'George Baby 3PK Zip Rompers (all sizes up to 24 months) has been identified with a manufacturing issue. "Some of the zips may contain sharp edges, which poses a risk of injury. This issue affects ALL sizes. "If you have purchased the George Baby 3PK Zip Rompers from Asda, please stop using immediately. "Bring it back to your nearest store where you will be given a full refund. You do not need your receipt. We are very sorry for any inconvenience caused. "If you would like any further information, please contact: Asda Customer Relations – 0800 952 010"
North Wales Live
a day ago
- North Wales Live
M&S shoppers can get 'delicious' £20 afternoon tea box for £5 in limited deal
From Monday the UK will be celebrating Afternoon Tea Week (August 11-17), an event that honours a truly British tradition as well as possibly one of our biggest debates - cream or jam first? Just in time for the occasion, M&S customers can now purchase an Afternoon Tea Letterbox Gift for £5 thanks to a deal stack. The box of treats will be delivered directly to shoppers' doorsteps and includes a variety of cakes, biscuits, and teabags. The sweet goodies on offer include all-butter shortbread fingers, carrot and walnut cakes, Victoria sandwich cake, and Millionaire shortbread bars, reports the Express. While the box usually costs £20 including UK-wide delivery, savvy shoppers have spotted a way to get it even cheaper, thanks to a money-saving website. TopCashback offers a free £15 bonus to all new members when they sign up and then a percentage back on all qualifying purchases from thousands of retailers, including M&S. This means new Top Cashback members shopping at Marks and Spencer for the first time will effectively get the Afternoon Tea Letterbox Gift for £4.67 after cashback. Meanwhile, new Top Cashback members who are existing M&S customers can get the Afternoon Tea Letterbox Gift for £4.83 after cashback. M&S is not the only retailer celebrating by offering shoppers a way to get the essentials at home to mark the occasion. Artisan baker Cutter and Squidge's afternoon tea home delivery range starts from £29.99 and includes a picnic-friendly tea perfect for taking out on a sunny day. Meanwhile, if you're more a fan of biscuits than cakes, luxury hamper brand Cartwright and Butler has unveiled a £20 afternoon tea selection packed with biscuits and in an eye- catching tin. Elsewhere, home bakers looking for new inspiration - or an unusual gift - can snag Wonderbly's newly launched illustrated personalised baking book which is packed with recipes for delicious treats. But if you'd rather get out and about and let other people do the prep, Wowcher has up to 68% off thousands of afternoon teas up and down the country. If all of that feels like a lot of hard work though, M&S' Afternoon Tea Letterbox Gift can be delivered straight to the door and has garnered high praise from customers, with a satisfaction score of 4.8 based on more than 5,000 reviews. One satisfied customer hailed it as the 'perfect gift'. They added: "All the cakes and biscuits were fresh and tasty. I thoroughly enjoyed it. The box arrived on time-although the box was slightly squashed, nothing was damaged." Another buyer praised the gift but noted a concern regarding the shelf life of the cakes: "Bought for a gift, looked lovely, nicely packaged. The only drawback is the dates on the cake. When it arrived, the dates were that we only had a week to use it." A different customer said: "Bought as a present for my sister, she was very pleased with the contents, which arrived in good condition and had a good selection of cakes with plenty of time on the use-by dates. Very happy with this purchase." Yet another customer shared their positive experience: "I ordered the afternoon tea letterbox to be sent to my daughter on a specified date. The box arrived on the date, and I was kept informed regarding the delivery time. "It was well received, and the contents were delicious. The recipient was delighted." The Afternoon Tea Letterbox Gift Contents: Victoria Sandwich Cake (75g) x 2 Millionaires Shortbread Bar (50g) x 2 Carrot Cake with Walnuts (75g) x 2 All Butter Shortbread Fingers (84g) All Butter Milk Viennese Chocolate Dipped Fingers (135g) Luxury Gold Tea Bags (16 Bags) Victoria Sandwich All Butter Milk Viennese Chocolate Dipped Fingers Millionaires Shortbread Carrot Cake Walnuts All Butter Shortbread Fingers How to get an M&S afternoon tea for £5 with TopCashback:
