Director Shareholding

Next PLC
9 May 2001

Next ESOP Trust

On 9 May 2001 the Next ESOP Trust disposed of 84,500 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 7,339,320.