'Odd questions' from M&S investors

Sliding profits may have been on shareholders’ minds when they gathered for Marks & Spencer’s annual general meeting today, but many seemed just as concerned with the issues of plunging necklines and comfortable slippers.

Chairman Robert Swannell was given the task of handling a colourful array of questions from small investors after the retailer unveiled a twelfth successive quarter of sliding sales in its general merchandise (GM) division.