Director Shareholding

Next PLC
23 July 2001


Next ESOP Trust

On 23 July 2001 the Next ESOP Trust disposed of 29,336 Ordinary Shares of 10p
each in Next plc to satisfy share options exercised by employees of the Company.

Executive Directors of Next plc who are participants in the Company share option
schemes are deemed to be discretionary beneficiaries of the Trust and are
consequently considered to be interested in all of the shares held by the Trust
which amount to 8,032,337.


P W K Webber
Company Secretary
Next PLC