CLOTHING retailer Next, which has stores in Regent Street and the Orbital shopping centre,in Swindon, bucked the high street trend of poor Christmas performance.
It said like-for-like sales in the 285 stores not affected by new openings rose 2.9 per cent from August 3 to Christmas Eve.
This was slightly above the level predicted by analysts.
Total like-for-like sales were up by only 0.5 per cent after new stores diverted trade away from 49 older outlets, Next has revealed.
However, the post-Christmas sale had been disappointing.
Clearance rates were below the expectations of managers on stock levels that were higher than originally planned.
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