Next Secures Partial Victory in Long-Running Equal-Pay Litigation

On September 7 2026 (scheduled), the Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) will rule on Next PLC’s appeal of a 2024 equal-pay judgment. The tribunal is expected to overturn the earlier finding that Next must pay its shop-floor staff the same basic hourly rate as its warehouse operatives. The decision leaves other equal-pay findings – night-time premiums, overtime, and paid-rest-break entitlements – untouched.

BBC NewsPartial victory for Next in equal pay appeal, but store staff's legal team also claim a win Appeal Tribunal leaves core Next equal pay findings intact REG - Next PLC - Important Victory For NEXT In Equal Pay Appeal UK retailer Next wins appeal to pay warehouse staff higher basic pay Next wins equal pay appeal on basic pay but store workers plan further challenge The GuardianNext wins ‘landmark victory’ in appeal over equal pay

In 2024, an Employment Tribunal in Leeds concluded that more than 3,540 current and former Next store employees – predominantly women – were entitled to the same basic pay as the retailer’s largely male warehouse workforce. The ruling estimated potential back-pay liabilities of over £30 million. Since then, claimants have risen to over 6,000.

The Guardian

• Claimants: > 3,540 (2024) -> > 6,000 (2026)

REG - Next PLC - Important Victory For NEXT In Equal Pay Appeal

• Basic-pay gap (2012-2023): £0.38 – £3.13 per hour in favour of warehouse staff

The Guardian

• Potential back-pay: > £30 million (Leigh Day, 2024)

UK retailer Next wins appeal to pay warehouse staff higher basic pay

• Next’s workforce: > 20,000 store staff across 458 UK and Ireland stores

The Guardian

Leigh Day, representing the claimants, reiterated that the tribunal’s findings on night-time premiums, overtime premiums and paid-rest breaks remain binding and noted that both the original tribunal and the EAT found “no direct sex discrimination” in Next’s pay-setting.

Next wins ‘landmark victory’ in appeal over equal pay

Leigh Day partner Elizabeth George called the basic-pay conclusion “disappointing” and said the firm will appeal the decision.

UK retailer Next wins appeal to pay warehouse staff higher basic pay

The tribunals agree that store staff and warehouse operatives perform work of equal value and that no direct sex discrimination was proven. They diverge on whether Next’s market-rate justification is sufficient for basic pay. The EAT left the Sunday-premium issue open, stating it “remains to be determined” and should return to the Employment Tribunal.

Next wins equal pay appeal on basic pay but store workers plan further challenge Appeal Tribunal leaves core Next equal pay findings intact The GuardianNext wins ‘landmark victory’ in appeal over equal pay UK retailer Next wins appeal to pay warehouse staff higher basic pay BBC NewsPartial victory for Next in equal pay appeal, but store staff's legal team also claim a win

• “I am also pleased that the tribunal upheld the findings on night-time premiums, overtime premiums and paid rest breaks.” — Elizabeth George, Leigh Day

The Guardian

• “The appeal tribunal’s conclusion on basic pay is disappointing.” — Elizabeth George, Leigh Day

The Guardian

Next will seek permission to appeal the remaining findings on night-time premiums, overtime, and paid-rest breaks. The claimants’ legal team intends to appeal the EAT’s basic-pay ruling. Both sides expect further litigation, with the unresolved Sunday-premium issue slated for a future Employment Tribunal hearing.

Appeal Tribunal leaves core Next equal pay findings intact