Online sales boost Next income
High street giant Next has managed to grow overall brand sales by 3.3 per cent thanks to soaring online revenue. Despite a drop in retail sales, its online division was lifted 16.9 per cent in the last three months.
Next brand sales grew 3.3 per cent, despite its retail division's revenue falling by the same amount. The Enderby-based company said the figure was in line with its performance in the first half.
After reporting a 16.9 per cent hike in sales through its online directory, Next said it would now be looking to make further improvements to the division.
Looking ahead to its full year to January 2012, Next said it expects to make pre-tax profits of between £550m -£585m, which is in line with expectations.
The company said it "remained confident" that it would not increase selling prices in the first half of the year, adding that "early indications are that this trend will continue into the second half of 2012".
