Retailer Next lifts outlook as summer sales surgeHigh street chain Next says sales surged in recent months as hot weather and the release of pent-up demand in the Middle East helped it beat expectations. The fashion and homeware retailer lifted its profit outlook again as a result of the stronger-than-expected second quarter. It comes in above the four per cent increase the retailer was forecasting for the period. In the UK, sales were up by 2.8 per cent for the quarter, with online shopping driving the increase while stores sales decreased. It also pointed to the release of pent-up demand in the Middle East and Northern Europe following a weaker start to the year for both regions.