Red Sea shipping attacks delay spring fashion deliveries
The fashion chain Next has warned its shareholders that attacks on container ships in the Red Sea could delay deliveries and impact sales in the coming months.
Several shipments through the Suez Canal route have been suspended after vessels were attacked by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels, prompted by the Israel-Hamas war. The attacks have forced a number of companies to reroute cargo around South Africa’s Cape of Good Hope, adding days to sailing times.
The fashion and homeware retailer said that if “difficulties with access” to the canal continued, delays to stock deliveries to the UK were “likely” in the early part of the year.
• UK and allies issue ‘final warning’ to Houthis over Red Sea attacks
Lord Wolfson, Next’s chief executive, said: “It could
