Next surges ahead amid a reopening sales boom

Fashion retailer enjoys a 9% boost overall — despite a slump in the Republic due to restrictions lasting longer in Ireland

The high street retailer reported remarkable growth of 18.6% in full-price products, leading Next to say it is more optimistic about its outlook than it was just three months ago. File picture: Yui Mok/PA

Shares in fashion retailer Next surged by nearly 9% after it reported a huge sales boom on the back of its shops reopening and the warmer weather.

Next said sales of full-price products grew by 18.6%, when measured against the 2019 pre-Covid equivalent, over the course of the 11 weeks to July 17 —  essentially the second quarter of the retailer’s financial year.