AGM Trading Statement

Next PLC
18 May 2005


Date:               Embargoed until 10.45am, Wednesday 18 May 2005


Contacts:           Simon Wolfson, Chief Executive
                    David Keens, Group Finance Director
                    NEXT PLC
                    Tel:  [phone] (18/05/2005)
                    Tel:  [phone] (thereafter)


                    Alistair Mackinnon-Musson
                    Philip Dennis
                    gcg hudson sandler
                    Tel:    [phone]
                    Email:  [e-mail]


                                    NEXT PLC

                             ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

                               Trading Statement

For the fifteen weeks since the start of the new financial year NEXT Retail
sales are 6.0% ahead of the previous year.  Like-for-like sales in the 273
stores which have been trading for at least one year and have not been affected
by the opening of new space are 3.2% down.  Like-for-like sales in the 337
stores including those which, as planned, have been impacted by the opening of
new space are 6.3% below last year.


NEXT Directory sales for the fifteen weeks are 8.1% ahead of the previous year.


Taken together, sales for the NEXT Brand are 6.6% ahead.


David Jones CBE

Chairman

18 May 2005


                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange