M&S reports “good Christmas”

Marks and Spencer has reported “good Christmas” trading with sales up 2.3% in the three months to Boxing Day.

Like-for-like sales, which includes stores that have been open a year or more, rose 0.8% compared to last year, during the period with general merchandise up 1.2% and food up 0.4%.

Food sales in the fortnight before Christmas were the retailer’s biggest ever festive period with sales over £50m on 23 December.

Sir Stuart Rose, M&S chairman says: “We expect the trading conditions over the coming year to remain challenging as a result of continuing economic uncertainty. We believe however, that customers will continue to seek out real value and quality for which we are justly famous.”

Yesterday, department store chain John Lewis, reported record sales for the five weeks to 2 January with sales up 15.8% up on the same period last year.

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