Next plans growth as it does well in first half of 2013
High street retailer Next has published encouraging figures for the first half of 2013, with sales up 2.2 per cent at £1,677m. (Release)
Next plans continued growth by developing product ranges and Next online, and acquiring new retail space.
Profit before tax stood at £271.8m, up 8.2 per cent from the same period in 2012. Operating profits also saw an increase, rising by 7.2 per cent.
Chief executive Lord Wolfson comments:
The Group has made good progress in the first half, delivering profits at the upper end of our expectations. Looking ahead the economy looks set to improve moderately, albeit at a slow pace and with the risk that credit easing may not translate into growth in real earnings.
We remain confident that we can deliver growth in sales, profits and earnings per share for the full year.