# Next lifts profit outlook again after overseas and summer sales surge

By Russ Mould — 2026-08-05

Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell, said: “Next’s playbook as a public company looks simple on the face of it but its ability to pull off the under-promise and overdeliver trick time after time is anything but.

“Yet another better-than-expected update and round of upgrades helped lift the shares to within sight of their recent all-time highs.

“The first-quarter slowdown linked to the Middle East conflict has proved to be short-lived and the subsequent rebound in the second quarter is genuinely eye-catching, supported by exceptionally strong overseas growth.

“Warm weather helped drive sales in the UK and sales of third-party products on its platform continue to be a notable feature of its success – own-brand sales were less inspiring, with a modest decline online and in-store sales flat.

“Unsurprisingly Next has been fairly conservative with its forward guidance, mindful no doubt of a tricky consumer backdrop and of giving itself a bar it can later clear. But today’s announcement confirms Next’s credentials as a retailer without rival in the UK and one with increasingly international horizons.”

Canonical: https://experts.pressassociation.com/expert/6/views/a3846701ef560d75