Next today reported third-quarter growth of almost 10% in its mainly-online directory sales.
The update came as Next, an IRUK500 Model retailer, said sales for the quarter rose by 7.3%. Total Next Retail sales, which take place in shops, rose by 5.4%, while Next Directory sales, which mostly take place online, rose by 9.8%.
When only full-price sales were considered, those were up by 6% across the Next brand, by 5.9% in stores and by 6.2% in directory.
In its trading statement, Next said: “NEXT Directory total sales grew faster than full price sales mainly due to the timing of the Directory Summer Sale, more of which was sold in the second half of the year.”
Next now expects to turn in full-year sales growth of between 4% and 6%, leading to pre-tax profits of between £810m (+3.6%) and £845m (8%).
