Next reports sales growth of 4.2 percent

Full price sales for the first thirteen weeks period to April 25, 205, at Next, were up 3.2 percent of which 1.9 percent was driven by opening of new space. The company said that, the performance is slightly ahead of the guidance provided in March for the first half of the year of 0 percent to over 3 percent.

However, sales in the first quarter were impacted by the earlier launch of its summer ‘New-In’ brochure, which, it says, coincided with much warmer weather. This timing effect, according to the interim statement, increased its reported number by around 0.6 percent. Total Sales were up more than full price sales and were 4.1 percent ahead of last year due to extended winter end-of-season sale and a larger mid-season sale in directory.

The company will pay a further special dividend of 60 pence per share on August 3, 2015 to the shareholders. Its next sales update will cover the first 26 weeks of the year, to July 25, 2015, and is provisionally scheduled for release on July 28, 2015.