Director Shareholding

Next PLC
16 May 2003

Next plc

Next ESOP Trust

The Next ESOP Trust has purchased the following Ordinary Shares of 10p each in
Next plc:
Date of Acquisition                     No. of Shares                   Price per Share
15 May 2003                             50,000                          994.4159p

The Next ESOP Trust was established for the benefit of employees of companies in
the Next plc Group.

On 16 May 2003 the Next ESOP Trust disposed of 98,000 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 8,992,540.

Mr W Barnes

Company Secretary

Next plc


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