Marks & Spencer is celebrating after beating analysts expectations with a 19.6 per cent rise in pre-tax profits to £308.2m in its half-year results.
Food sales were particularly strong, with a rise of 5.6 per cent to the half-year ending October 1, or up 1.6 per cent on a like-for-like basis.
Sales were boosted by the opening of six Simply Food stores and the launch of 140 lines in its Cook range. It has also made recipe changes to 450 products and extended its Eat Well campaign.
The retailer is also reported to be planning a new food development unit to expand its operations in that area.
Stuart Rose, chief executive, said he was pleased with the results but added there was still a way to go.
