Trading Statement

RNS Number : 9237S

Next PLC

30 September 2014

 



Date:                     Embargoed until 07.00hrs, Tuesday 30 September 2014

Contacts:             David Keens, Group Finance Director
                                NEXT PLC                                             Tel: [phone]

                                Alistair Mackinnon-Musson        Email:
                                                                                                [e-mail]
                                Rowbell PR                                         Tel: [phone]

NEXT PLC
Sales Update

Later this week NEXT will be conducting its biannual investor meetings.  Given the recent spell of unseasonably warm weather it is inevitable that shareholders will enquire about current trade.  In order to ensure that we can have open conversations with our investors, we make the following observations:

1)        Cooler weather in August resulted in several very strong weeks.  However, warmer weather in the more important month of September has had the reverse effect.  The overall effect is that Quarter Three sales to date are up 6%, which is lower than our previous forecast of +10%.

2)        At present our profit forecast for the full year remains within our previous guidance given on 29 July and reiterated on 11 September, and our experience suggests that some lost sales are regained when the weather turns.  However, if this unusually warm weather continues for the full duration of October then we are likely to lower our full year profit guidance range of £775m to £815m.

Our next Interim Management Statement will cover the thirteen weeks to 25 October and is scheduled for Wednesday 29 October 2014.

 

END

 

 

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