Sales during the Christmas period have exceeded expectations at Enderby-based Next.
In a new trading statement for the 9 weeks to 30 December, full price sales were up 4.8% versus last year. This was c.£66m better than Next’s previous guidance of -2% for the period.
Next have increased their profit before tax guidance for the year by £20m to £860m, up 4.5% versus last year.
The retailer however is cautious about the year ahead (to January 2024), forecasting sales to be down 1.5% and profit before tax down 7.6%, as cost pressures hit.
