<p>HIGH street darling Next is expected to mark a milestone this week when its annual profit haul overtakes that of bellwether Marks & Spencer for the first time in its 32-year history.</p><p>Analysts say the chain, which runs more than 500 stores in the UK, with a further 200 overseas, easily outperformed rivals over the autumn and festive trading periods.</p><p>A stellar Christmas sales performance saw Next up its profit guidance for the second time in just over two months.</p><p>It already ranks as the largest clothing retailer in Britain by sales, having overtaken rival Marks & Spencer two years ago. Now its profits are tipped to have exceeded M&S's for the first time since it was launched in 1982.</p><p><a href="http://www.scotsman.com/business/retail/next-set-to-eclipse-m-s-profits-for-first-time-1-3341871">Keep reading...</a></p>
