Next chief retains positive outlook despite clothing sales becoming 'more volatile'

Chief executive of Next, Simon Wolfson, said one potential cloud on the horizon was a weaker job market, though he was encouraged that it hadn't shrunk yet

The company reported sales in the first six weeks of its fiscal second half that 'materially exceeded' its expectations.

The outlook for the UK consumer remained positive, the boss of clothing retailer Next said on Thursday, noting there was nothing in its current numbers that suggested a fundamental malaise.

In March, chief executive of Next, Simon Wolfson, said the UK consumer outlook was the best it had been since before the pandemic in 2020. However, a difficult half for the UK clothing industry followed, with an unseasonably cold spring and a cool and wet early summer weighing on sales.