Britannia definitely still rules the waves as far as Next’s sales and profits are concerned, but international markets are becoming increasingly important to the retailer.

Next, which generated group sales of just over £2bn in the six months to July, posted a 23% rise in international sales over the period.

In January 2016 (Next’s year-end) overseas full-price sales totalled £195m for the full-year. In January this year they had reached £354m and by January 2020 the figure is expected to be £436m.