Next plc is a United Kingdom based retailer offering products in clothing, footwear, accessories and home products. The Company distributes through three channels: Next Retail, a chain of more than 500 stores in the United Kingdom and Eire; Next Directory, a home shopping catalogue and Website with around three million customers and international Websites serving approximately 50 countries, and Next International, with approximately 200 stores globally. Other group businesses include NEXT Sourcing, which designs, sources and buys NEXT branded products; Lipsy, which designs and sells its own branded younger women�s fashion products through retail, Internet and wholesale channels. During the year ended January 31, 2012, the Company sold its customer services management business, Ventura, to The Capita Group plc.