Next has increased its full-year profit guidance for the third time this year as sales and profits boomed during its first half.

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Next reported group sales were up 5.4% year on year

The fashion giant reported profit before tax of £420m for the six months to July 2023, up 4.8% compared with the same period in 2022.

Total group sales were up 5.4% year on year to reach Ā£2.64bn during the period, while the retailer said its brand full-price sales also increased by 3.2%.

Next credited its sales performance during the half to ā€œthe exceptionally warm weather in late May and Juneā€, which boosted sales of its summer ranges during ā€œa critical timeā€ of the year.

The retailer also said it expects to make an ā€œexceptional gainā€ of Ā£110m from its acquisition of fashion retailer Reiss.

Next said it has made ā€œgood progressā€ on its four priorities for the year across sales, service, costs and new and developing business streams, while overseas has taken ā€œa big step forwardā€ during the second quarter of the year.

In terms of guidance, Next said its full-price sales forecast for the second half would be up 2% on last year. The retailer’s profit before tax guidance has also increased by Ā£30m to Ā£875m.