A surge in online sales offset the fall in store sales says the retailer next as it reported on its Christmas performance.
The retailer said that sales were up one and a half per cent over the Xmas period compared to last year.
Strong sales in the three weeks prior to Christmas along with a good half-term holiday week at the end of October made up for disappointing sales in November said the Company.
However the retailer downgraded its full-year profit forecast to £723m, from the £727m previously expected blaming the fall on the sale of seasonal products, such as personalised gifts and beauty products, which bring in lower profits than clothing.
The company said it was particularly difficult to forecast how its business would perform this year, due to the uncertainty around the UK’s upcoming departure from the European Union.
“People are maybe a little bit more cautious, given the uncertainties around Brexit. But I think that’s as strong as you can put it,” said Next chief executive Lord Wolfson,
