UK Retail Splits in Two: Next's Booming Summer vs M&S's Inflation Headache

Next just raised its profit forecast for the fourth time this year, posting a stunning first half that nobody saw coming. The FTSE 100 clothing giant reported group sales up 9% in the six months to July, pushing pre-tax profit to £569m — a 10.5% jump. Full-year pre-tax profit is now expected at £1.26bn, up £12m from the previous guidance. UK online sales surged 7.4% against a prior forecast of just 4.6%, while international sales rocketed 24%. Lord...