Next PLC (LSE:NXT)'s mantra under chief executive Simon Wolfson has always been to under-promise and over-deliver.
So, once again we find the clothing retailer resetting expectations with a modest boost to earnings guidance - which goes from £835 million to £845 million.
It attributed the upgrade to stronger-than-expected sales during the second quarter (May-July) and improved clearance rates.
Full-price sales in the second quarter were up 6.9% compared to last year, driven by a period of exceptionally warm weather which led to sales growth 3.7% higher than anticipated.
The end-of-season sale also exceeded expectations, adding around £4 million to the group's profit before tax.
In the detailed breakdown, delivered in a trading statement, online sales showed significant growth at 10%, while retail sales increased by 2.2%.
The company stated that stock levels have been well controlled, with surplus stock down 22% versus last year.
The new forecast also includes £16 million in additional full-price sales in the last six weeks, indicating a confident outlook for the retailer as it enters the second half of the year.
As long ago as June, it foreshadowed the upgrade by telling investors in an impromptu trading statement that conditions on the high street and online were better than anticipated.