Next has raised its full-year profit forecast following a better-than-expected first half, although the retailer has become more cautious about the outlook for UK consumer spending.
Total sales, including markdowns, increased 8.9 per cent during the first half, while full-price sales were 7.7 per cent ahead of the previous year.
Pre-tax profit increased 10.5 per cent, prompting Next to increase its full-year profit guidance to around £1.255bn.
The retailer continues to benefit from strong international growth, which has become an increasingly important part of the business alongside its established UK operations.
However, Next has taken a more cautious view of UK trading during the second half of the year.
The retailer pointed to pressures including inflation, higher mortgage costs and a weaker employment market, which could weigh on household spending.
The contrasting outlook comes despite Next continuing to outperform its previous expectations, with the retailer repeatedly upgrading its profit forecasts in recent years.
Its latest results suggest that strong individual retail performance is continuing despite a more uncertain backdrop for UK consumers.
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