The boss of British fashion retailer Next said on Thursday the latest easing of Covid-19 restrictions felt different from previous relaxations, making him more positive about the trading outlook.

Non-essential stores reopened in England and Wales on April 12th after more than three months of lockdown. They reopened in Scotland on April 26th and Northern Ireland on April 30th.

"The relief from this (latest) lockdown feels more optimistic. It feels like this might genuinely be the end of it," CEO Simon Wolfson told Reuters.

“So to that extent the rally (in trading) may last a little bit longer,” he said after Next reported better than expected first quarter trading. – Reuters