Marks & Spencer (M&S) is expected to reveal poor pre-Christmas sales this week, despite its attempts to try and lure shoppers with discounting promotions.
City analysts believe that the retailer’s price promotions will have cut into the firm’s sales figures over the three months to the end of December.
Yet Sir Stuart Rose, chief executive, is likely to argue that comparing this year’s figures with those recorded last year is worthless, because of the impact of the recession.
Experts believe sales at M&S could be down by between 5.5% and 9.6%, with sales of food off by the same amount.
M&S dropped its food prices in November after revealing a drop in profits the same month.
Its one-day sales towards the end of last year proved popular with consumers looking for Christmas bargains.
