High street fashion chain Next has reported a continued growth in sales - although there has been a dip in online shopping as customers returned to stores. Total full price sales in the 13 weeks to the end of April increased by 21.3 per cent on the same period a year ago, although online sales dipped by 11 per cent.
The fall in online sales compared to 12 months ago was blamed lockdown measures when stores were shut to customers last year. Store sales jumped 285 per cent on the same period a year ago as a result, Next said.
However, when compared on a three-year basis – the last period before Covid hit – store sales remain down by eight per cent. Bosses said indications for the high street operation remain in good shape for the rest of the year and did not downgrade forecasts as a result of further inflationary pressures.
