Next Sales Better Than Expected Despite UK’s Costs Crisis

Next Plc, the British clothing and homeware chain, held its profit guidance steady and said that sales heading into the final months of the year are slightly better than expected.

Full-price sales rose 0.4% during the third quarter, compared to the same time a year earlier as consumers increasingly become more selective when shopping for clothes and homeware. The retailer said sales improved during the period as temperatures dropped and consumers bought heavier weight products. Next’s shares rose 1% in early trading.