Next enjoys better-than-expected Christmas trading Fashion and furnishings chain Next saw its shares jump almost 10 per cent in early trading this morning after it said sales over the festive season had been "significantly" better than expected. The group also hiked its profits forecast for the second time in just over two months after the robust performance, with pre-tax profits of up to £700 million pencilled in for the year to 25 January - an increase of as much as 12.6 per cent on a year earlier. Sales across its stores jumped 7.7 per cent between November 1 and Christmas Eve, while Next's Directory catalogue and online division enjoyed a 21 per cent surge. Freddie George, retail analyst at Cantor Fitzgerald, said: "The company appears to have benefited from having a range, including knitwear, nightwear and accessories, which was "on trend" and consumers having more confidence in its online offer." Next, led by chief executive Lord Wolfson, also revealed plans to return £75 million to shareholders through a special dividend of 50p a share on 3 February. Shares in the group were up 545p, or 9.9 per cent, at 6,075p following the trading statement, which came hot on the heels of similarly upbeat reports from House of Fraser and John Lewis. However, a fresh profit warning from Debenhams earlier this week, which led to the departure of chief financial officer Simon Herrick, showed that some high street retailers remain under pressure.