Trading Statement

Next PLC
04 January 2007



Date:                   Embargoed until 07.00am, Thursday 4 January 2007



Contacts:               Simon Wolfson, Chief Executive
                        David Keens, Group Finance Director
                        NEXT PLC
                        Tel:  [phone]



                        Alistair Mackinnon-Musson
                        Nicola Savage
                        Hudson Sandler
                        Tel:      [phone]
                        Email:  [e-mail]


                        Photographs available:  http://www.next.co.uk/press/






                                  NEXT PLC
                            TRADING STATEMENT


CURRENT TRADE



The combined sales for NEXT Retail and NEXT Directory for the period from 31
July to 24 December 2006 were up 2.8% compared to the same period last year.



NEXT Retail sales were up 0.8% in the period.  Like for like sales in the 308
stores that were unaffected by new openings were down 6.9%.



NEXT Directory sales were up 9.3% in the period.





PROFIT AND EARNINGS PER SHARE FORECAST



We currently expect annual profit before tax (PBT) to be slightly ahead of
market consensus, within the range of £463m to £473m.  Operating profits (EBIT)
are expected to increase by between 5.1% and 7.2%.  On this basis earnings per
share, which have been enhanced through our share buyback policy, would increase
by between 11.0% and 13.4%.



In a challenging year we will have increased Group profits through good control
of stocks, margins and costs, along with a strong sales performance in NEXT
Directory.





NOTICE OF FULL YEAR RESULTS



We intend to issue our preliminary results for the 52 weeks to 27 January 2007
on Thursday 22 March 2007.







                                    - ENDS -


                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange