article_snippet.sent: After decades of snapping at the heels of rival Marks & Spencer, Next has overtaken the company on profits.
article_snippet.sent: it also does it own versions of high-end homeware that won't break the bank.
article_snippet.sent: And these great lines in designer lookalikes go some way towards explaining how Next reported a rise in annual profits of 12 per cent, to £695 million, last year and a further 12.5 per cent over the past 12 months, with profits totalling £782 million.
article_snippet.sent: The company is worth £11 billion, making The company second only to Tesco in the retail sector.
article_snippet.sent: That's impressive in a market that includes 'pile-'em-high, sell-'em-cheap' stores such as Primark and
article_snippet.sent: As well as 500 stores in Britain and Ireland, and 200 overseas, a substantial proportion of Next's turnover comes from online and catalogue sales.
highlights_snippet.sent: Next has overtaken Marks & Spencer on profits .
  