Revived M&S to take on 4,000 more staff

Marks & Spencer said today that it planned to recruit an extra 4,000 staff after figures showed shoppers continued to warm to the new-look chain.

Fresh from its fourth consecutive quarter of sales growth, M&S said the new store staff would help it keep up with demand after updated ranges and a more efficient supply chain contributed to its trading revival.

Chief executive Stuart Rose, who has overseen the improvement over the past two years, said trading in the 13 weeks to July 1 had been encouraging, although he remained cautious ahead of the key Christmas trading season.

He pointed out that competition continued to be fierce – particularly from budget chain Primark and the supermarkets – and that the key challenge facing M&S was to ensure its ranges remained fresh in the eyes of shoppers.

But as an indication of the chain’s improved fortunes, M&S said it would hold its summer sale a week later than normal.

Mr Rose also said the hiring of staff over the next two to three months was earlier than planned as demand had been ahead of expectations, while the company also needed staff at additional food stores in its portfolio.

He reported growth of 8.2% in like-for-like sales for the company’s first quarter, with general merchandise up 10.5% and food 5.8% stronger.

The figures were helped by comparisons against a poor performance last year, although M&S said it had increased market share in all categories.