Fashion and homeware retailer Next saw a small rise in full-price sales in the last quarter.

Sales at the retailer, which has stores in Gloucester and Cheltenham, for the 13 weeks to October 29 were up by 0.4 per cent, slightly ahead of expectations.

Full-price sales in the last five weeks were up 1.4 per cent, boosted by a particularly strong week at the end of September when sales increased by 11 per cent, as a result of falling temperatures increasing sales of heavier-weight products.

During the quarter, online sales were down by 1.9 per cent, while retail sales increased by 3.1 per cent.

Next is maintaining its guidance for full-year pre-tax profit at £840m, up 2.1 per cent against last year.

It is predicting sales for its final quarter to be two per cent down on last year.