Next customers lash out over new charge at till

Next customers have lashed out at the retail giant for introducing a new charge at the point of purchase. The retailer is now adding an additional 15p in four stores across the country as part of a trial, with plans for wider implementation if proved successful.

The charge is being added for hangers coming with some clothes in a bid to cut back on plastic use and will be paid for by customers if they take the hanger home with them. The trial charge is currently being added to branches in Bristol, Bishop Auckland, Preston and Watford. While the company said it was adding the charge for environmental reasons, customers have shared their outrage on the topic.

A Next spokesperson said: “We are trying to reduce the amount of plastic being used to help protect the environment, therefore we retain the hangers and reuse them across the business. The small charge goes towards the production of more hangers."

One shopper complained on X: "So we spent a fair amount on clothes and was abruptly told we couldn’t have the hangers unless we paid for them! Shocking"

A second added: "What a joke to charge 15p for a hanger!! when others give it for free!! I won’t be shopping with you again!” While a third said: "Just bought a suit for my husband costing £149, asked for the hangers to be told in store that they aren’t allowed to give them out anymore nor did they have any suit carriers. Really poor customer service expected better.”

A similar charge was previously introduced by Tesco through its F&F clothing brand. The supermarket giant introduced a 10p charge as a trial across an unconfirmed number of its stores.

However, Lauren Weir, Senior Campaigner at the Environmental Investigation Agency, said the initiative to help reduce plastic