Fashion chain Next - which has enjoyed significant success with a number of licensed ranges over the past 12 months - has reported better than expected results for the key Christmas trading period.

Like for like sales rose 3.2 per cent, while total sales (including Next Directory) increased 5.2 per cent in the 22 weeks to Christmas Eve.

The results led chief executive Simon Wolfson to up its profit guidance from £490 million to £500 million for the full year.

However, the store is still erring on the side of caution for 2010 - it is forecasting like for like sales growth (excluding directory) to be between one per cent and minus three per cent.

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