M&S overtaken as top UK clothes retailer

Marks & Spencer is no longer the UK’s largest clothing retailer after losing its crown to supermarket chain Asda, it was reported today.

Industry figures for the 12 weeks to July 25 are understood to show that Asda now has a leading 9.4% share of the clothing market – up almost a third on the previous quarter.

At the same time M&S has failed to grow its share from 9.1%, according to reports in The Mail on Sunday and The Sunday Telegraph that cite data from market research firm Taylor Nelson Sofres (TNS).

The news will come as a blow to M&S chief executive Stuart Rose, who is under pressure to spark a revival in the fortunes of the ailing high street icon.

The figures from TNS are also understood to highlight the inroads made by Tesco in the British clothing market. Its share is now at 6.5% compared with 3.9% a year ago.

Next and Matalan were other winners on the high street, but Woolworths, New Look and Peacocks are thought to have conceded ground to rivals.