Annual profits at Next have fallen 8% after what the retailer described as its most challenging year for 25 years.
"The middle market is suffering and there isn't a way back home," Kate Hardcastle, from consultancy Insight with Passion, told the BBC.
"I think retail generally in this market place has been quite lazy. As soon as consumers had an alternative option that are perhaps are a better price, better product or faster moving product, I think they've taken it.
"So you've seen the rise of Primark on the discount side, Asos and Zara on the more fashion-orientated side and a consumer very much influenced by Instagram and social media.
"It's just too much of a turnaround, too much of a challenge for these quite heavyweight retailers who have expected to trade the way they always have.," Ms Hardcastle said.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-43512375