This year, the high-street retailer Next will increase its prices by less than anticipated.
It now anticipates price increases of 7% in the spring and summer of 2023 and 3% in the fall and winter, which is slightly less than the increases it predicted in January.
It was stated that transportation costs were declining and that suppliers were charging more competitive prices.
Next reported a 5.7% increase in pre-tax profits to £870.4 million for the year ending in January.
On Tuesday, the retailer bought the Cath Kidston fashion name for £8.5 million but not its stores.
Next has approximately 500 stores and operates online. It is frequently considered a reliable indicator of the health of the British High Street.
The retailer had already increased its prices in 2022, citing higher production costs and a devalued pound as the reason.
In January, prices were forecast to rise 8% this spring and summer and 6% this fall.
Despite the strong results, Next predicted that 2023 would be turbulent, with sales and profits declining due to high energy and labor costs.
Recently, Aldi and Lidl, two discount supermarket chains, have increased their prices.
Last year, the bakery chain Greggs, the retailer Marks & Spencer, and the furniture company Dunelm also increased their prices.
As energy and food prices decline, the Bank of England anticipates that overall inflation – the rate at which prices rise – will fall below 3% by the end of the year.
The annual rate of inflation increased unexpectedly to 10.4% in February from 10.1% in January.
Governor Andrew Bailey warned companies that raising prices above inflation would raise the cost of living.
Andrew Bailey stated, “I would say to those who set prices: please understand that if inflation becomes embedded, interest rates will have to rise further, and higher inflation benefits no one.”
Since December 2021, the Bank of England has increased interest rates eleven times to combat rising prices.
