The retailer said that for the 13 weeks to May 1, full-price sales were down just 1.5% compared with two years ago. Next said it had budgeted for sales to be down 10% on pre-pandemic levels and it has beaten that first-quarter forecast by £75m. 

As a result of this stronger than expected result in the first quarter, Next said it had increased its profit guidance for the year by £20m to £720m.

Next said it had not upgraded its sales forecast for the year, which remained at 3% above full-year sales in 2019.