Next Plc (LON:NXT) first-half profits came in better than some analysts expected despite tough trading, but the fashion chain warned that July premium sales were subdued.
The group also kept its interim dividend unchanged at 53p per share.
Next said pre-tax profits in the six months to July fell 1.5% to £342.1mln, better than the 5% fall predicted by Numis Securities.
Total Next brand sales were 3% up on last year, but full price sales fell 0.3%, with online sales doing significantly better than the group's shops.
The company attributed the internet performance to improved stock availability, a better website and continued growth from its label and overseas businesses.
Next has suffered this year from the "wrong kind of weather" for the season, forcing it to offload surplus stock in end-of-season sales.
It said it had strong July sales, although they were driven by a much larger-than-normal end of season sale.
Next's stock for the end-of-season sale was up 30% on last year which increased both footfall and sales.
But full-price sales in July remained subdued, prompting it to caution that it did not believe July trading represented any change in underlying consumer spending patterns.
Chief executive Simon Wolfson said: "Trading since July, which to some extent may have been affected by the sale, has remained challenging and volatile.
"We are maintaining our full year sales guidance but expect to have a clearer picture of trading conditions at the beginning of November when we announce our third quarter sales."