Trading Statement Autumn/Winter 1999

Next PLC
5 January 2000
   

   Contact:  David Jones, Chief Executive
          David Keens, Finance Director
          Next plc
          Tel:  [phone]
   
          Alistair Mackinnon-Musson
          Philip Dennis
          Square Mile Communications
          Tel:  [phone]
   
                            
        TRADING STATEMENT AUTUMN/WINTER 1999
   
Sales  performance of the NEXT Brand from 1st  August  to
24th December was as follows:

NEXT Retail: 18% higher than last year on selling space
which was 10% higher.

NEXT Directory: 5% higher than last year.

NEXT Brand: Retail and Directory combined were 15% higher
than last year.

We  have  had  a  successful end of season  Sale,  having
started  with approximately the same amount of  stock  as
last year.

We have not experienced any problems relating to the Year
2000 issue and all of our systems are operating normally.

NEXT intends to announce its Preliminary Results for  the
year to January 2000 on Thursday, 23rd March 2000.