British retailer Marks & Spencer today said sales were strong in the crucial run-up to Christmas, adding that it believed its recovery was on track.
The group said in the seven weeks to January 12, like-for-like sales - which strip out the effect of store openings and closures - rose 8.3%.
Food sales rose 5.4% on a like-for-like basis, while sales of clothing, footwear, gifts and home goods rose 10.4%.
Chairman and chief executive Luc Vandevelde said he was encouraged by the figures, though the company did not assume 'a continuation of the recent market conditions'.
