Trading Statement

Next PLC
03 January 2008

Date:           Embargoed until 07.00am, Thursday 3 January 2008

Contacts:       Simon Wolfson, Chief Executive
                David Keens, Group Finance Director
                NEXT PLC
                Tel:      [phone]

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

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



                                    NEXT PLC
                               Trading Statement

CURRENT TRADE

The combined sales of Next Retail and Next Directory for the period from 30 July
to 24 December 2007 were up 0.3% compared to the same period last year.

Next Retail sales were down 0.3% in the period.  Mainline like for like sales in
the 309 stores that were unaffected by new openings were down 3.2%.

Next Directory sales were up 2.2% in the period.

PROFIT AND EARNINGS PER SHARE FORECASTS

Our like for like sales performance was in line with the guidance we gave in
September and is an improvement on our performance in Spring Summer.  This was
despite a worsening consumer environment and significant markdown activity on
the high street.  Next maintained its policy of trading full price in the run up
to Christmas and stocks were well controlled going into the end of season Sale.
So far clearance in the Sale has been in line with our forecasts.

We anticipate that full year profits for the group will be slightly ahead of
market expectations with profit before tax in the region of £492m - £502m.  This
will mean that operating profit will be up between 4% and 6%.  As a result of
share buybacks and a lower tax rate earnings per share will be up between 14%
and 17%.  So whilst trading has been difficult the financial performance has
been good as a result of excellent cost control and careful management of our
balance sheet.

OUTLOOK FOR 2008

Our outlook for the year ahead remains extremely cautious, with consumers
continuing to face increasing demands on their finances.  Many will experience
year on year increases in mortgage charges for much of the coming year as a
result of favourable fixed rate mortgage terms expiring.  We will continue to
take on profitable new space in the UK, expand overseas and grow our online
business through Next Directory.  However we are not forecasting a return to
like for like growth in the UK in 2008 for Next Retail.

NOTICE OF FULL YEAR RESULTS

We intend to issue our preliminary results for the 52 weeks to 26 January 2008
on Wednesday 19 March 2008.  The first of our quarterly trading statements will
be in early May 2008.




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