Marks & Spencer claimed to have enjoyed a successful Christmas trading period as it reported a UK like-for-like sales rise of 0.8% in the three months to 26 December 2009.
However, food sales increased just 0.4% in the quarter compared to a 1.2% rise in clothing sales.
Total U.K sales were up 2.3%. The retailer said that after adjusting for the timing of its Christmas sale, which started on 27 December, like-for-like sales were up nearly 2%.
Sir Stuart Rose, chairman (pictured) said: “We had a good Christmas, continuing the improvements seen throughout 2009.
“In Food, we had our biggest ever Christmas fortnight, with record one day sales of over £50m on 23 December.
“In General Merchandise, sales of knitwear, sleepwear and footwear were particularly strong. Over Christmas, customers bought more than 36 million mince pies, a million bottles of champagne and over 8 million jumpers and cardigans.
“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.”
M&S will report its trading for the 13 weeks to 27 March on 8 April 2010.
The company’s online division, M&S Direct, posted a 32% sales increase in the quarter.
