LONDON, Oct 29 (Reuters) - Britain's No.2 clothing retailerNext cut its profit guidance on Wednesday afterunusually warm weather suppressed demand for its winter wears,sending an ominous sign to rivals ahead of the crucial Christmasseason.
Next, which trades from over 500 stores in Britain andIreland, about 200 stores overseas, and through its Directoryinternet and catalogue business, said profit for the full-yearwas expected to be within a range of 750 million pounds (1.2billion) to 790 million pounds.
That was lower than previous guidance of 775-815 millionpounds.
The firm made the cut after sales for the 13 weeks to Oct.25, its fiscal third quarter, grew by 5.4 percent, below itsprevious forecast of 10 percent. It had warned on Sept. 30 thatprofit forecasts could be reduced if the warm weather persisted.(1 US dollar = 0.6193 British pound) (Reporting by Neil Maidment; editing by Kate Holton)