M&S has vastly improved its sales by improving product lines and maintaining its focus on the UK. The company was expected to post better sales – particularly for its non-food categories, which have recovered from terrible results last year. With food sales remaining strong, M&S seems to have made the first positive steps towards winning back customers.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Data Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Related Company Profiles

View all

UK retailer Marks & Spencer has released trading figures showing like-for-like sales up 13% for the 12 weeks to September 28. This is far above what was expected and highlights the positive measures the company has taken to halt its decline.


Food has always been one of M&S’ strong points, and the division continues to grow with like-for-like sales up by 6%. However, it is in the non-food areas that M&S has really needed to boost sales to deliver a strong proposition across its range. Finally, the company has been able to announce strong double-digit sales in these areas. Non-food sales, which include
clothing, gifts, footwear and home goods, have increased by 13.2% on a like-for-like basis.


This all points to continued recovery for the troubled retailer. M&S’ past decline can be put down to an unfocused strategy and arrogance. It now appears to have made the first positive steps towards winning back customers.


In the past, the company has also been hampered by ambitious plans to expand overseas while its UK operations were in disarray. However, M&S has made the necessary commitment to focus on the UK. A new executive team, revamped non-food lines and divesture of overseas loss-making businesses have all been central to its recent success. Now, M&S needs to keep it up.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

 (c) 2002 Datamonitor. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without prior written consent. Datamonitor shall not be liable for errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.