Marks & Spencer group sales rose by 4.0%, as did total UK sales. Clothing rose by 4.7% and home by 2.7%. Food rose by 3.5%.
British Retail Consortium figures out today show the overall sector was hit by a 0.3% drop in like-for-like sales in December while total sales were up 1.5%.
Sales of M&S Direct, the online retailing division, rose by 25% in the quarter. .
Marc Bolland, chief executive of M&S, said: "M&S traded well through the important Christmas period despite the severe weather as customers continued to return to M&S quality.
"We delivered a great Christmas for our customers, from our stylish occasionwear to our innovative festive food. I would like to thank all our employees, in particular the store and operations teams, for doing a wonderful job in very difficult conditions to minimise the disruption to our customers."
.
. New figures from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) say the figure is more marginal, at 0.3% on like-for-like sales but 1.5% up on total sales.
The BRC and KPMG survey concluded: "Snow disrupted sales patterns and meant lost trade for some. Food sales growth slowed a little. Non-food had a much tougher time. In particular, larger purchases were hit by fears about jobs and incomes."
.
.jpg)
.jpg)