Eric Musgrave has been observing, analysing and writing about the fashion business since 1980. One of the most respected journalists in the sector, he has twice been editor of Drapers – and during both stints he was named Business Media Editor of the Year. In consumer journalism, he was the launch editor of the ground-breaking men’s style title For Him (later FHM) and as a freelance he has written for many prestigious titles including The Financial Times and The Sunday Times. Among the many exclusives in his long career, he was the first journalist to interview George Davies about Next.

His two-page feature on this revolutionary retail concept appeared in Drapers Record (the precursor to Drapers) on Friday, 12 February 1982, the very day the first seven branches of Next opened their doors.