Clothing chain Next said warm weather over the Easter holiday drove a 4.5% rise in full-price first-quarter sales, beating its own forecasts of a 3.2% rise.

The shares, which has been a standout performer among struggling British retailers largely due to the success of its online range, fell as much as 7.25%.

Fashion chain Next has posted a rise in UK sales over Christmas as the retailer upgraded its profit forecast and signalled that inflation pressures are set to ease.

Clothing retailer Next returned to sales growth in its latest quarter, helped by warm weather in June and July and a surge in online sales, sending its shares sharply higher.

Shares in fashion retailer Next plummeted yesterday as it cut its profit forecast after a poor Christmas and warned of a further decline.

Whether you’re selling clothes or baked beans, UK retailing is a tough place to be right now.

Next has lowered its sales forecast for the year, sending its shares plunging the most since the dot-com bubble burst in 2000, as slowing growth in consumers’ incomes threatens to hit spending at the UK clothing retailer.

Next joined UK retailers John Lewis and House of Fraser in the battle for festive business.

Two of Europe’s biggest fashion retailers, Next and Hennes & Mauritz, have endured a tough start to the year, hit by a combination of unhelpful weather and economic headwinds.

Next nudged its full-year profit forecast higher after an increase in sales over the Christmas period was supplemented by improved margins due to a renewed attack on costs.

Next lifted its profit hopes today as new stores and strong online sales gave the retail giant shelter from the stormy climate on the high street.

Retail chain Next said it rode out the “perfect economic storm” today after £1bn of online and catalogue sales boosted profits by 5%.

CLOTHES retailer Next has warned that sales and profit growth in the next year would be modest, citing concerns over the eurozone debt crisis, a credit squeeze and rising unemployment.

THE boss of clothing chain Next has offered reassurance that prices will not rise further in 2012 after a “perfect storm” of surging costs and rising VAT increased price tags this year.

INCREASES in cotton prices, VAT and labour rates are forcing the price of fashion lines up, with retailer Next expecting to increase prices by as much as 10% this year.

RETAILERS HMV and Next reported a drop in sales as fears mount the bad weather impacted greatly on December trading.

Fashion chain Next today said the snow cost it £22m (€26m) in lost sales as customers stayed at home during the key Christmas trading period.

The UK's political row over National Insurance (NI) rises intensified today as British business leaders dismissed “patronising” claims that they had been fooled into backing the opposition Conservative Party's plans.

CLOTHING retailer Next and DIY chain B&Q both reported profitrises yesterday, beating analysts expectations.

Retailer Next reported an 18% hike in profits today after seeing a turnaround in sales following four years of declines.

BRITISH fashion retailer Next has posted a 7% year-on-year increase in first half profits to £185.5 million (€208.3m), but has warned that financial performance for its full year will be largely flat.

Fashion chain Next received a warning shot from shareholders today after it softened the rules on bonuses to boost payouts to directors.

MAJOR retailers delivered a surprise boost to the markets yesterday by reporting better than expected Christmas sales figures.

The husband and wife founders of fashion label Lipsy were £3.5m (€4.46m) richer today after being bought out by retail giant Next.

BRITAIN’S third-largest clothing retailer Next has said annual profits rose 4% last year but added that trading will be difficult in the coming months.

Fashion chain Next will fall under the spotlight tomorrow as the first major name to update on what is likely to have been the toughest Christmas in years on the high street.

Fashion chain Next showed signs of a recent sales improvement today, although the group said it still faced "extremely volatile" trading conditions.

Fashion retailer Next announced another sales fall in the UK today as it failed to convince investors it was making progress with its turnaround plan.

Fashion retailer Next pledged today to “revitalise” its brand as it works to revamp its image in a bid to stem falling sales on the high street in the UK.

FASHION chain Next reported better-than-expected results, despite a challenging year for its high street outlets.

Clothing retailer Next today blamed cautious shoppers for a slowdown in sales at its high street stores since January.

News of soaring profits at banking giant HSBC sent investors piling into the stock today despite poorer fortunes for the wider London market.

Bosses of fashion chain Next are betting £2.6m(€3.9m) on the business in the hope of netting a windfall five times bigger.

Fashion chain Next saw group profit after tax increase by 16% to £245.2m (€364.57m) to January 2004.

CLOTHING firm Next lifted some of the gloom surrounding the retail sector with strong last-minute Christmas sales and a higher profit forecast, fuelling its shares to a record high.