Marks & Spencer has registered a surprise improvement in sales at its clothing division – the first rise in more than three years of trading.
The 0.7% lift in like-for-like sales in the general merchandise arm came as customers responded to changes in “product quality and styling” and as it sold more full-price items.
The company’s food business also saw like-for-like sales in the 13 weeks to March 28 rise by 0.7%, helped by record Valentine’s sales.