Marks & Spencer sees record number of customers at Christmas

In the 13 weeks to December 27, group sales grew 24.2% to £4.9bn as food grew 5.6% on a like-for-like basis to £2.7bn.

The retailer said its market share of food reached a “historical high” of 4%, and a strong operational execution resulted in higher sales.

Fashion, home, and beauty sales was the only category that declined. Sales decreased 2.5% and 2.9% on a like-for-like basis as online growth was offset by stores sales decline.

M&S said this reflected reduced footfall and the impact on stock data and management following the cyber attack in April last year.

International sales inched up 0.9% as wholesale agreements, online growth and food franchise offset its performance in India and fashion, home and beauty shipment phasing.

Ocado Retail sales also increased 13.7% due to a volume growth of 10.7% and order growth of 11%. M&S sales on Ocado.com accounted for around 30% of Ocado Retail sales, growing 16.3%.

Full-year guidance remains the same, but M&S said it plans to “accelerate the reshaping strategy against the context of an uncertain consumer environment”.

Its focus is on the customer, products, investment in value, transforming stores and online, improving supply chains and delivering structural cost reductions.

M&S chief executive Stuart Machin said: “A record number of customers shopped M&S this Christmas. From the festive food shop, to picking up party outfits and gifts, millions more trusted M&S to deliver the family Christmas. 

“Food sales were strong and the business continues to outperform, hitting a new market share milestone in the period. We are the UK’s fastest-growing grocer for families, reflecting our investment in value and core family staples, and demonstrating progress in our journey to become a shopping list retailer. 

“Fashion, home and beauty is getting back on track as we work through the tail end of recovery. Sales overall were slightly down but online performance continued to improve as digital sales recovered. We planned a bigger sale this year, with strong sell-through already making way for our new season lines. 

“We enter this new calendar year full of ambition and laser-focused on our plan to reshape M&S for further growth. In food, we have even more first-to-market innovation coming and further investment in quality and price. In fashion, our new season ranges are resonating well with customers as we double down on value, quality, and style.

“I’d like to thank our customers for shopping with us, our colleagues for all their hard work, and wish everyone a happy and healthy 2026. We are looking forward with confidence.”