Next sales up in Q4 thanks to online

Next turned in reasonable Q4 figures up 3.1%, with figures on target but on the back of good online sales, not high street sales.

Their stores reported a decrease in sales of 2.7% and it is this poor performance that does not bode well for the future and Next shares have opened up some 5% lower at the start of trading Wednesday.

Overall at the start of trading for the year, one day behind France, Germany and parts of Asia, the Footsie has opened up positively on the back of positive economic data from various areas of the globe, but the Eurocrisis is never that far away with various steps planned towards greater European financial harmony, due regularly.

Interestingly in the short term, with huge question marks over the Euro strategy, the UK is becoming a safe haven for spare money not looking for a large return of investment but looking for the return of the investment.