It is a quarter of a century since Lord Wolfson took over at Next.

In that time, he has grown the company into Britain's biggest High Street clothing retailer, overtaking Marks & Spencer more than a decade ago.

Next's share price has also soared since he took charge, rising from just under £10 to nearly £150, a performance on a par with US tech titan Microsoft.

Now valued at £17.5billion, the firm has a knack for beating even optimistic projections in its Financial results. Half-year figures due this week should see sales of £3.5billion and profit of £600million but the numbers could be higher.

Next, which sells its own brand as well as hundreds of others including Reiss, Laura Ashley and The White Company via its website, has gained from the 'Netflix effect' in which styles seen in the streaming service's dramas prove popular with shoppers at home and abroad.

Next's results will be unveiled against ever harsher conditions on the High Street. 

Discount chain Primark last week said its sales were slowing, while John Lewis reported that its losses had doubled, blaming Government policies such as higher employer national insurance contributions.

Wolfson blames these rises for a 'dramatic fall' in entry level opportunities for younger people. He has also warned of the threat from Labour's Employment Rights Act calling it a 'wrecking ball' for jobs.

Next claimed a 'landmark victory' last week in its appeal against a 2024 court ruling compelling.' The firm to pay mostly female shopfloor staff the same as mostly male warehouse workers.

At the results, Wolfson is also likely to be quizzed about why Next bowed out of the race for Harvey Nichols, allowing retail entrepreneur Mike Ashley of Frasers Group to acquire the luxury Knightsbridge store.

Maybe Wolfson has his eye on another target amid the rubble of retail.