Next raises profit guidance following strong first quarter sales

British clothing retailer Next has increased its full year profit guidance to 1.21 billion pounds after full price sales in the first quarter exceeded internal forecasts. Total full price sales for the 13 weeks to May 2, 2026, rose 6.2 percent compared to the previous year, surpassing the 4 percent growth initially anticipated by the group. This overachievement represented 28 million pounds in additional sales, contributing 8 million pounds to the revised profit outlook.