Next has raised its sales and profits forecast

Next has raised its sales and profit forecasts as it reported that full price sales were up by 4.3% in the first half of its financial year.

Total sales rose by 3.8% in the 26 weeks leading to July 27^th.

This comes after full price sales in its second quarter increased by 4%.   Sales in July alone had a 6.8% uplift year-on-year.

Next is now increasing its full price sales guidance for the second half of the year from a rise of 1.7% to 3% growth.

Its guidance for full year group profit is also being raised.  It will be raised by £10 million to £725 million, putting it marginally up from last year.