Heatwave helps give a lift to Next’s sales figures

0 The high street stalwart said online sales in its second quarter, to 28 July were up by 12.5%

Surging demand for summer clothing helped retail chain Next grow sales by 2.8 per cent as Britons sweltered in the recent heatwave.

The group said online sales in its second quarter to 28 July rose by 12.5 per cent, which offset an ongoing decline in its high street stores, where sales dropped by 5.9 per cent.

Next thanked the “prolonged” hot weather through June and July for the betterthan-expected sales boost, but kept its guidance for the fullyear as it said shoppers had

brought forward their spending on lightweight summer clothing from August.

The group had already increased its annual profit outlook in May after early summer warm weather had given sales a fillip.

Full-price sales leapt nearly a quarter in one week last month, but trading was volatile throughout the quarter, Next said. It launched its endof-season discount sale a week earlier than in 2017, with 20 per cent less stock after tight management in the first half.