4th Jan 2006 07:00
Next PLC04 January 2006 Date: Embargoed until 07.00am, Wednesday 4 January 2006 Contacts: Simon Wolfson, Chief Executive David Keens, Group Finance Director NEXT PLC Tel: 08454 567 777 Alistair Mackinnon-Musson Philip Dennis Hudson Sandler Tel: 020 7796 4133 Email: [email protected] Photographs available: http://www.next.co.uk/press/ NEXT PLC TRADING STATEMENT CURRENT TRADE The combined sales for NEXT Retail and NEXT Directory for the period from 1August to 24 December 2005 were up 9.8% compared to the same period last year. NEXT Retail sales were up 8.7% in the period. Net sales growth from new spaceafter deducting deflection was 11.9%. Like-for-like sales in the 251 storesthat were unaffected by new openings were down -3.2%. NEXT Directory sales were up 13.7% in the period. PROFIT FORECAST In March 2005 we said that we would increase both sales and profit in achallenging year. We now expect that our full year profit before tax will beabove market expectations and in the range of £435m to £450m. OUTLOOK We remain cautious for the first half of the new year. Whilst we expect to growsales from the addition of new space, we are budgeting for like-for-like salesto continue to run at approximately -3% over the next six months. We intend to issue our Preliminary results for the 52 weeks to 28 January 2006on Thursday 23 March 2006. - ENDS - This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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