Fashion retailer Next is to launch a flash Sale this weekend.

The womenswear and menswear retailer will offer 50% off selected clothing and homeware items tomorrow and Sunday. Most stores will open at 7am and the promotion will launch online at 8am.

It is understood marked down items will include a men’s suit jacket usually priced at £110, a women’s heart-studded tunic with a full price of £28 and children’s wellies with a full price of £9.

Next traditionally operates a strictly limited number of Sale periods each year.

The promotion has sparked fears among some retailers that it will have a negative impact on trading on the rest of the high street this weekend, and that it will “re-educate” the public not to expect to pay full price for items.

Last week Next chief executive Lord Simon Wolfson issued a cautiously optimistic outlook on trading prospects, forecasting that there would be no double dip recession or “meltdown in consumer spending” at the retailer’s half-year results.

Next reported a 15% hike in profits to £213m for the half year to July.

The retailer was unavailable for comment at the time of publication.