Next is cautious about the prospects for consumer spending

Next said same-store sales, which strip out the impact of new outlets, fell 2.9% in the 14 weeks to 3 November.

This was an improvement on the 4.8% decline it experienced in the six weeks to 8 September, the start of the second half of its financial year.

It added that Next Directory sales had risen 1.2% in the past 14 weeks.

This was a return to growth after the catalogue and internet division saw a 2.9% decline in the six weeks to 8 September.

Cautious outlook

The combined sales of Next Retail and Next Directory for the 14 week period were up 0.4% compared with the same period last year, against a 2.9% fall in the six weeks to 8 September.

Next - which has more than 460 shops - said it now expects full-year earnings to be in-line with market expectations.

"However, trading patterns remain extremely volatile with good sales in September giving way to a disappointing October," it said.