Marks & Spencer shares rose 4.81% today after the retailer reported a solid Christmas trading performance amid recovering from its widely reported cyber attack.
In a trading update covering the 13 weeks to 27th December 2025, M&S reported total group sales of £4.99 billion, with food continuing to lead the performance.
Food sales increased 6.6%, with like-for-like growth of 5.6%.
The FTSE business also reached a historic milestone in November, achieving a 4% UK grocery market share, as it outperformed the wider market for more than three consecutive years.
Fashion, home & beauty remained in recovery mode, with sales down 2.5% and like-for-like sales falling 2.9%.
The division was impacted by lingering disruption to stock data and management following the cyber incident earlier in 2025.
However, the London-headquartered firm’s online performance improved over the period, with digital sales returning to growth.
“A record number of customers shopped M&S this Christmas,” said Stuart Machin, chief executive of Marks & Spencer.
“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.”
Elsewhere, Ocado Retail sales increased 13.7%, driven by double-digit growth in volumes and orders, while international sales rose 0.9%.
The business has seen its share price rise to 344.3p today and its market cap has now passed the £7 billion mark.
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