M&S chief feeling festive after sales jump to £6.1bn

MARKS & Spencer looks to be heading for a bumper Christmas after strong early sales of festive food and party dresses added extra sparkle to a cracking set of first-half results

- Joanna Hodgson

In a results call after publishing figures showing a 10.8% revenue jump to £6.1 billion for the six months to end September, chief executive Stuart Machin said that millions of the high street stalwart’s customers plan to celebrate more this Christmas.

He added that early orders of festive food are up 22% up on last year and that a £59 black sequin dress for this party season sold 5,000 units in a week.

In encouraging signs for the high street at the start of a key trading period, Machin said: “There’s no doubt spirits seem to be high for Christmas.”