LONDON (Reuters) - British clothing retailer Next <NXT.L> kept its profit guidance for the full 2019-20 year on Wednesday, as it reported third quarter sales growth slightly ahead of guidance given in September.
Next, which trades from about 500 stores in the UK andIreland, about 200 stores in 40 countries overseas and itsDirectory online business, said full price sales including interest income rose 2.0% in its third quarter to Oct. 26.
The group said it believed that strong sales in July pulled forward sales from August. It said sales in September were adversely affected by unusually warm weather, while it saw a significant improvement in October when temperatures fell.
"We believe the improved sales growth in October recouped some of the lost sales in September and we do not expect sales growth for the rest of the year to be as strong as October," it added.
(Reporting by James Davey; editing by Sarah Young)
