Clothing retailer Next is expected to post strong trading figures next week when it reveals details of its performance in the run up to Christmas.
The Press Association reports that Next's revenues are expected to have grown by 4.1 per cent in the three months to December 24 at the retailers 520 stores in the UK and Ireland, according to retail analysts at investment bank Seymour Pierce. This compares to a 3.3 per cent drop in the previous quarter.
The company's online and catalogue business, Next Directory, is forecast to post sales growth of 9.3 per cent.
Kate Calvert, an analyst at Seymour Pierce, said: "We believe that Next will grow market share and the performance of Directory over the period is expected to show the strength and flexibility of its multi-channel business model."
A number of large retailers including Debenhams, Sainsbury's, ASOS and Tesco will follow with their own results over the coming days. Horrendous weather conditions this time last year, which resulted in weak sales on the high street, are likely to flatter most retailers' figures.
