Marks & Spencer (M&S) has reported total UK sales are up 4.8% for the 13 weeks to 3 July 2010, with general merchandise and food both delivering strong performances.
General merchandise was up 7%, including clothing +7.4% and home +4.1%, with food up 2.9%.
In clothing customers responded well to improved styling, stronger fashions and great value, with sales of summer knitwear and holiday ranges particularly good.
In food, M&S continued to outperform the market on a like-for-like basis, as customers continued to return to quality. The retailer stepped up emphasis on innovation, launching 570 new products, including grill and summer dessert ranges.
Marc Bolland, chief executive, said: “Marks & Spencer has delivered another good sales performance in the first quarter, continuing the progress made by the team over the previous year.
“We have continued to grow market share across all parts of the business as customers recognised the strength of our brand and the great quality and value it represents.”
Source: Marks & Spencer
