Next raises full-year profit forecast to £1.26bn in fourth 2026 upgrade

Next raised its full-year profit forecast to £1.26bn on 17 September, up £12m and its fourth upgrade in 2026. The UK retailer reported half-year sales up 9% and pre-tax profit of £566m, up 11%. It attributed part of the overperformance to two unusually warm summers. Caution is warranted on weather-dependent momentum into winter.