AGM Current Trading Statement

Next PLC
16 May 2001





Date:       For immediate release, Wednesday 16th May 2001





Contact:  David Jones, Chief Executive

          David Keens, Finance Director

          Next plc

          Tel:  [phone] (16/05/01)

          Tel:  [phone] (thereafter)



          Alistair Mackinnon-Musson

          Philip Dennis

          Hudson Sandler

          Tel:  [phone]

          Email:  [e-mail]





                                   NEXT PLC



                        AGM Current Trading Statement



The Chairman of NEXT, Sir Brian Pitman made the following statement at the
Company's Annual General Meeting today:



'In the first fifteen weeks of this financial year Full Price sales in NEXT
Retail are 17% ahead of the previous year. The like-for-like Full Price sales
in the 267 stores that have been trading continuously for at least one year
are 9% ahead. These increases do not include the one day sale that was held on
Saturday 29th April this year, which cleared stock remaining from our early
Spring ranges.



NEXT Directory Full Price sales for the first fifteen weeks are 18% ahead of
the previous year.



Taken together, Full Price sales for the NEXT Brand are 17% ahead of the
previous year.



I am also pleased to announce that the Board has approved the appointment of
Simon Wolfson to succeed David Jones as Chief Executive of NEXT PLC on 1st
August 2001. David Jones will become full time Deputy Chairman on the same
day, with the intention of becoming Chairman in due course.



Simon, aged 33, joined NEXT in 1991. In the 10 years that he has been with the
Company, he has had senior roles in both NEXT Retail and NEXT Directory. He
was elected to the Board in 1997 and was appointed Managing Director of the
NEXT Brand in August 1999. He has already proved himself as a key driving
force through a number of challenging tasks and is a worthy successor to David
Jones.



NEXT has a great team of talented people and I am confident that the
continuing combination of David Jones and Simon Wolfson will sustain the
success of the Company.'



Sir Brian Pitman,

Chairman

NEXT PLC



Commenting on Simon's appointment, David Jones said:



'The Board identified Simon as my likely successor some time ago. Now that he
has gained the experience of managing all aspects of the business, it is the
right time for me to hand over, having been Chief Executive for over 12 years.
Simon and I have enjoyed a close working relationship for many years, and
together we have formulated the strategy of the Group. I look forward to my
change of role, maintaining our successful partnership and continuing to
deliver value to our customers and shareholders.'



                                    -ENDS-