LONDON, July 28 (Reuters) - Next, Britain'ssecond-largest clothing retailer, edged-up its annual sales andprofit forecasts on Tuesday after beating its own guidance forfirst half sales growth.
The firm, which trades from over 500 stores in Britain andIreland and about 200, mainly franchised, overseas, as well asthe Directory catalogue and internet business, said total fullprice sales rose 3.5 percent in the 26 weeks to July 25.
That compared to first quarter growth of 3.2 percent andguidance for the first half of flat to up 3percent.
The mid-point of Next's full year profit guidance wasincreased by 1.9 percent from 810 million pounds ($1.3 billion)to 825 million pounds, while its full year sales guidance rangewas increased to up 3.5-6 percent.($1 = 0.6423 pounds) (Reporting by James Davey; editing by Kate Holton)