UK Retailer Next Raises Annual Profit Guidance

British fashion retailer Next raised its guidance for annual profit by 10 million pounds ($12.7 million) to 845 million pounds. Reuters file photo
British fashion retailer Next raised its guidance for annual profit by 10 million pounds ($12.7 million) to 845 million pounds. Reuters file photo
TT

UK Retailer Next Raises Annual Profit Guidance

British fashion retailer Next raised its guidance for annual profit by 10 million pounds ($12.7 million) to 845 million pounds. Reuters file photo
British fashion retailer Next raised its guidance for annual profit by 10 million pounds ($12.7 million) to 845 million pounds. Reuters file photo

British fashion retailer Next raised its guidance for annual profit by 10 million pounds ($12.7 million) to 845 million pounds on Thursday, after full price sales and the end-of-season summer sale came in ahead of forecasts.
The upgrade from Next, which is considered a barometer of how British consumers are faring as it trades from about 500 stores and online, came just six weeks after its last upgrade and shows shoppers continue to defy tough economic conditions.
A year of high inflation and consecutive interest rate rises in Britain have squeezed household incomes, but high street spending has held up, and Next said it sees annual full-price sales 1.8% higher than in its 2022-23 financial year.
Value-retailer Primark and Sports Direct-owner Frasers Group have both in recent weeks issued positive updates, Reuters reported.
Next's forecast for profits of 845 million pounds in its statement on Thursday means they will come in 2.9% lower than it made in 2022-23.



Birkenstock Results Beat on Resilient Demand, Forecasts Margin Recovery

A Birkenstock shoe is displayed at Birkenstock shoe store in London, Britain, October 11, 2023. (Reuters)
A Birkenstock shoe is displayed at Birkenstock shoe store in London, Britain, October 11, 2023. (Reuters)
TT

Birkenstock Results Beat on Resilient Demand, Forecasts Margin Recovery

A Birkenstock shoe is displayed at Birkenstock shoe store in London, Britain, October 11, 2023. (Reuters)
A Birkenstock shoe is displayed at Birkenstock shoe store in London, Britain, October 11, 2023. (Reuters)

Birkenstock beat market expectations for fourth-quarter results on robust demand for its pricey footwear and forecast a recovery in margins in fiscal 2025, sending the company's shares up 7% on Wednesday.

With fresh styles becoming a priority for consumers, Birkenstock's sandals and closed-toe clogs have drawn new customers both at its own stores and at retailers.

The company bypassed steep discounting trends evident during the holiday shopping season, which Birkenstock executives said was off to a strong start globally.

"The expansion of ranges into more closed-toe silhouette has helped boost revenue, given that they offer multi-season wear," Susannah Streeter, head of money and markets at Hargreaves Lansdown, said.

Germany-based Birkenstock's average selling prices across its product range were up 8% in fiscal 2024, in part due to higher sales of clogs, the company said, adding that closed-toe styles now made up about a third of its business.

The company has invested in expanding its global store presence and increasing manufacturing capacity this year to meet demand.

While it led to a 330-basis point drop in gross margins in fiscal 2024, Birkenstock forecast a recovery in margins in fiscal 2025 as it ramps up production from new facilities.

The company reported fourth-quarter revenue of 455.8 million euros ($478.27 million), compared with the average analyst estimate of 439.2 million euros, according to data compiled by LSEG.

However, Birkenstock's forecast for fiscal 2025 revenue to increase between 15% and 17% was below estimates of 17.5% growth.

"It would appear with this incredibly healthy growth, the company is choosing to adopt a conservative approach that they expect to be able to meet and beat," BMO Capital Markets analyst Simeon Siegel said.

On an adjusted basis, Birkenstock earned 0.29 euro per share, beating estimates of 0.26 euro.