UK retailer Marks & Spencer has seen its like-for-like food sales rise 0.6% in the 13 weeks to 31 December, the retailer has reported.
Total food sales were up 5.6% for the retailer in the period. Like-for-like Clothing & Home sales were up 2.3%, with total growth of 3.1%.
Overall, Marks & Spencer saw a 4.5% rise in total UK sales in the period, with International sales up 2.9% at a constant currency basis.
“I am pleased with the customer response we have seen to the changes we are making in line with our plan for the business,” commented M&S chief executive Steve Rowe.
“Our Food business continues to grow market share with customers recognising our product as special and different. Our Simply Food store pipeline remains strong.”
Rowe noted that while the group posted a strong Q3, its Q4 numbers will be “adversely affected by sale timing and a later Easter.”
In addition, “against the background of uncertain consumer confidence the business remains focused on delivering the strategic actions announced last year.”
© 2017 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Stephen Wynne-Jones. To subscribe to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine, click here.
