Fashion chain Next has reported stronger sales in the past few weeks as the high street shows signs of a pick up.
The Enderby-based group today said sales between August and October were up 2.7 per cent compared to the same period last year.
Bosses said the figure was boosted by buoyant trade in late September and early October, making up for a quiet start to August.
It comes after a survey this week by business group CBI found retail sales for October were better than expected.
Sales at the Next's 536 stores rose by 1.1 per cent over the quarter, while its Next Directory mail order/internet arm saw sales rise by 5.6 per cent in the same period.
The company, which employs 3,500 people in Leicestershire, said it expected sales to rise by around 3.8 per cent over the next three months, and by between 3 per cent and 4.5 per cent for the full year.
The group is on track for a fourth consecutive year of record profits after predicting a surplus of £590 million to £620 million for the 12 months to January 31, 2013.
