NEXT STORES ARE BACK IN FASHION

NEXT sales continued to grow although there has been a dip in online shopping as customers returned to stores, the firm said.

Total full price sales at the High Street fashion chain in the 13 weeks to the end of April were up 21.3pc on the same period a year ago, although online sales fell by 11pc. The reason for the fall in online sales was that last year, due to lockdown measures in place, physical stores were shut.

Conversely, store sales jumped 285pc on the same period a year ago as a result, Next said.

However, when compared on a three-year basis – the last period before Covid hit – sales in stores remain down by 8pc.

Bosses said the High Street bellwether remains in good shape for the rest of the year and did not downgrade forecasts as a result of further inflationary pressures.

Shares fell 0.7pc to 6042p.