Marks and Spencer sales rise after two-year slump

MARKS & SPENCER halted a two-year trading slump yesterday after new ranges and an overhaul helped the embattled retailer to a surprise pick-up in sales.

In a surprisingly strong update, M&S posted its first quarterly sales rise since October 2003 and said profits would be at the top end of expectations.

Chief executive Stuart Rose drew encouragement from the performance, but warned it was still early days in the recovery battle, particularly with the key Christmas trading season just around the corner.