Fashion retailer Next, which has its deliveries carried out by Bradford firm Grattan, has emerged unscathed from the fierce high street price wars. The clothing and homewares chain, which has many shareholders in West Yorkshire, said its total retail sales soared by 18 per cent between August 1 and December 24 compared to the same period in 1998. The rise came after the group expanded its store space by 10 per cent.

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