Next PLC (LSE:NXT) raised its full-year outlook for the third time since the summer as sales in the third quarter came in higher than expected.
Full-price sales for the high street clothing retailer grew 7.6% in the past quarter, above the previous guidance for 5% growth.
Colder weather arriving earlier this year made a difference, the company said, whereas a year ago September and early October were unusually warm.
UK in-store sales grew 2.9% after falling in the first half of the year, with retail revenues for the nine months of the year so far still down 0.8%.
WIth online sales growth also accelerating to 7.9% in the quarter, nine-month product sales were up 5.6%
For the fourth quarter, Next said it now expects full-price sales growth of at least 3.5%, up from 2.5% before.
Based on those new assumptions, full-year profit guidance was lifted to just over £1 billion, up from £995 million previously.