Interim Management Statement

Next PLC
16 May 2007


Date:           Immediate, Wednesday 16 May 2007

Contacts:       Simon Wolfson, Chief Executive
                David Keens, Group Finance Director
                NEXT PLC
                Tel:  [phone] (16/05/07)
                Tel:  [phone] (thereafter)

                Alistair Mackinnon-Musson
                Nicola Savage
                Hudson Sandler
                Tel:      [phone]
                Email:  [e-mail]


                Photographs available:  http://www.next.co.uk/press/



                                    NEXT PLC

                          Interim Management Statement



CURRENT TRADE

The combined sales for NEXT Retail and NEXT Directory for the fifteen week
period from 28 January to 12 May 2007 were up 2.2% compared to the same period
last year.



NEXT Retail sales were up 1.2% in the period.  Mainline like for like sales in
the 336 stores that were unaffected by new openings were down -2.7%.



NEXT Directory sales were up 4.6% in the period.



Trade has been extremely volatile - a good Easter was followed by a very
disappointing first two weeks of May.  Overall the current NEXT Retail like for
like performance represents a significant improvement over the -7.2% experienced
last year and reflects some of the changes made to our product ranges and
marketing.  We continue to budget on the basis that first half NEXT Retail like
for like sales will be in the range -1% to -4%.



PROSPECTS

Whilst we are cautious about the consumer environment for the rest of this year
we believe we can make further improvements to our ranges, marketing and
shopfit.  We are budgeting for our like for like sales performance in the second
half to be better than in the first.



Our current estimate for net additional space in NEXT Retail is 125,000 square
feet in the first half and 275,000 square feet in the second half, making
400,000 square feet for the year.



Our cost control and margin management programmes are going well and in line
with our expectations.



SHARE BUYBACKS

This year we have entered into contingent share purchase contracts which to date
have delivered 100,000 shares at a cost of £2.1m.  If contracts currently
outstanding continue to maturity then a further 3m shares will be purchased for
cancellation at a cost of £67m.





                                    - ENDS -


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