Marks & Spencer is back in the black after announcing it has turned round its falling sales.
The retailer has reported a 1.3 per cent rise in like-for-like sales for the 12 weeks to October 1. This compares with a fall of 5.4 per cent in the previous quarter.
Food sales showed a healthy increase while sales of clothing also stabilised, the company said.
Stuart Rose, chief executive, said: “This is an encouraging performance, but there remains much to be done.”
He said the trading environment in the run up to Christmas remained challenging but was confident M&S would continue to perform.
Total group sales were up 3.3 per cent, with same-store sales in food up 2.7 per cent.
