Warm weather boosts sales for Next in UK

Fashion chain Next today said the warmer weather had boosted trading as it looks to recover from a difficult start to the year.

Like-for-like sales at its retail stores fell 8.9% in the 13 weeks to April 26, although Next said the sales had “picked up markedly” since then.

Despite the weather-related improvement, Next said it remained cautious about the outlook.

It told shareholders: “Financial pressures on our customers resulting from cost increases in food, fuel, mortgage repayments and taxation look set to continue.”