Marks and Spencer reports lower Q2 sales

by Staff, Marketing 02-Oct-08, 08:59

LONDON - Marks and Spencer has reported a 1.6% slide in UK sales in its second quarter, the total pulled down by lower sales of clothing (-2.9%). Food sales were almost static (-0.5%).

In the 13 weeks to 27 September, overall like-for-like sales were down 6.1% and food 5.9% lower than the first quarter.

Online sales bucked the trend, however, increasing by 34%.

Chairman Stuart Rose said: ‘Consumers are increasingly cautious about their budgets. We have responded by offering our customers better value and more promotions across the business, while at the same time tightly controlling our costs.'