National retailer Marks & Spencer (M&S) has reported an uptick in Christmas period sales, although its Fashion, Home and Beauty division declined.
According to its latest trading update for the 13 weeks to 27 December 2025, total sales rose 24.2% to £4.9bn.
Food sales rose 6.6% to £2.7bn, while Fashion, Home & Beauty sales fell 2.5% to £1.2bn. International revenues increased 0.9% to £158m.
M&S said that online sales growth within the Fashion, Home and Beauty category was offset by declining store sales.
“Performance reflected reduced high street footfall, and the long tail impact on stock data and management following the incident earlier in the year. Stock into Sale during December was higher than last year but sell-through rates have been strong.”
Stuart Machin, Chief Executive, commented: “A record number of customers shopped M&S this Christmas. From the festive food shop, to picking up party outfits and gifts, millions more trusted M&S to deliver the family Christmas.
“Food sales were strong and the business continues to outperform, hitting a new market share milestone in the period. We are the UK’s fastest growing grocer for families, reflecting our investment in value and core family staples, and demonstrating progress in our journey to become a shopping list retailer.
“Fashion, Home & Beauty is getting back on track as we work through the tail end of recovery. Sales overall were slightly down but online performance continued to improve as digital sales recovered. We planned a bigger Sale this year, with strong sell-through already making way for our new season lines.
“We enter this new calendar year full of ambition and laser focused on our plan to reshape M&S for further growth. In Food, we have even more first to market innovation coming and further investment in quality and price. And in Fashion, our new season ranges are resonating well with customers as we double down on value, quality and style.
“I’d like to thank our customers for shopping with us, our colleagues for all their hard work, and wish everyone a happy and healthy 2026. We are looking forward with confidence.”
