AGM Statement

Next PLC
16 May 2002






Date:              Immediate release: Thursday 16 May 2002



Contacts:          David Jones
                   Simon Wolfson, Chief Executive
                   Next plc
                   Tel:      [phone]



                   Alistair Mackinnon-Musson
                   Philip Dennis
                   Hudson Sandler
                   Tel:              020 7796 4133
                   Email:            [e-mail]


                                    NEXT PLC

                    Annual General Meeting Trading Statement


In the first fifteen weeks of this financial year NEXT Retail sales are 17%
ahead of the previous year.  Like-for-like sales in the 263 stores that have
been trading continuously for at least one year are 5% ahead.



NEXT Directory sales for the first fifteen weeks are 28% ahead of the previous
year.



Taken together, sales for the NEXT Brand are 20% ahead of last year.



At the end of today's Annual General Meeting, I shall retire as Chairman after
four very happy and stimulating years.  I am delighted that David Jones, at
present Deputy Chairman and formerly Chief Executive, has agreed to succeed me.
The combination of David as Chairman and Simon Wolfson as Chief Executive will
be hard to beat and I have every confidence in the future of the company.



Sir Brian Pitman
Chairman
16 May 2002





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