Here’s a briefing on some of the stories and issues highlighted on irishexaminer.com today.

Marks & Spencer chief executive Marc Bolland will step down after failing to revive clothing sales in almost six years at the British retailing bellwether.

Marks & Spencer has raised hopes that it has finally rediscovered a winning formula. Yesterday, it reported a rise in annual profit for the first time in four years and its intention to return excess cash to shareholders.

Marks & Spencer is expected to report its first rise in annual profit in four years next week, fuelling hopes it has finally rediscovered a winning formula.

British retailer Marks & Spencer posted its best quarterly non-food sales performance in four years, yesterday, putting behind it the online distribution problems that ruined its Christmas and buying its chief executive more time to secure a recovery.

Marks & Spencer is to offer its army of small shareholders a discounted gift card instead of their dividend payment, the group said today.

Marks & Spencer is to close five stores in China and shrink its Shanghai head office as part of a strategic shake-up, the British retailer said today.

A fresh decline in clothing sales piled more pressure on Marks & Spencer boss Marc Bolland today after a Christmas beset by online delivery problems.

Marks & Spencer has reported more dire trading for its clothing division after it was beset by online delivery problems and unseasonal weather conditions.

Marks & Spencer’s embattled boss highlighted signs of progress today after the high street chain posted a surprise rise in half-year profits.

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

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.

Marks & Spencer boss Marc Bolland blamed website teething problems today as the chain’s homeware and clothing division registered its 12th quarter in a row of declining sales.

Marks & Spencer’s boss Marc Bolland clocked up an unwelcome hat-trick today as the retailer reported a third consecutive year of falling profits under his stewardship.

Marks & Spencer boss Marc Bolland is expected to report a third year in a row of falling annual profits when the retailer publishes its results tomorrow.

Marks & Spencer boss Marc Bolland will come under more pressure tomorrow when the chain reveals another quarter of falling sales in its clothing division.

Fashion chain Next is set to see annual profits overtake those of UK high street bellwether Marks & Spencer for the first time in its history after notching up a stellar Christmas sales performance.

Marks & Spencer has reported its ninth consecutive quarter of sliding clothing and homeware sales and warned that consumers remain reluctant to spend.

Shares in Marks & Spencer suffered another day of losses today as concerns grow that its star-studded clothing relaunch is failing to revive the British chain.

Marks and Spencer has reported a 3.3% year-on-year increase in first quarter group sales but is seeing growth continually held back by an underperforming clothing division.

The team tasked with giving Marks & Spencer’s fortunes a makeover has unveiled the key fashion pieces they think will bring customers back to the ailing store.

Marks & Spencer reported sharply contrasting fortunes today as buoyant trading in its food halls helped offset more dismal sales figures in clothing.

Shares in Marks & Spencer surged today on speculation that the retailer is an £8bn bid target for Middle Eastern investors.

Marks & Spencer Group plc reported first-half earnings that beat estimates and forecast an increase in profitability for the year as it offers fewer promotions.

Marks & Spencer was one of the biggest risers on London’s leading shares index today as improved recent trading offered hope of a turnaround.

Marks & Spencer reported falling half-year profits today as it counted the cost of its worst non-food sales performance for three years.

Marks & Spencer’s worst trading performance for three years triggered a boardroom casualty today after its womenswear range failed to strike a chord with shoppers.

Marks & Spencer suffered its worst non-food sales for more than three years as a failure to buy the right stock compounded grim high street trends.

Marks & Spencer is to offer current accounts in Britain from this autumn after announcing plans to open 50 bank branches in the next two years.

Poor Irish and Greek sales were cited by retailer Marks and& Spencer as it reduced its global sales forecast for 2012.

Marks & Spencer boss Marc Bolland slashed his sales targets for the high street retailer today as he unveiled its first fall in profits in three years.

Retail giant Marks & Spencer today reported a 1% fall in annual profits to £705.9m for the year to March 31, the first drop in three years.

Marks & Spencer and Burberry featured on a shortened fallers board today as the wider London market made decent gains following an encouraging debt auction in beleaguered Spain.

TWO British high street giants with significant Irish operations — Debenhams and Marks and Spencer — have reported positive sales for the festive period.

Marks & Spencer said today that it would roll out more discounts in a bid to pull in customers after weak homewares sales dragged on its Christmas performance.

Marks & Spencer revealed a hit to profits today after it opted not to pass on the full extent of rising costs to cash-strapped shoppers.

Marks & Spencer resumed trading in France today after a decade-long absence in the country.

TV presenter Cat Deeley is leading a wardrobe clear-out with a difference to help some of the world’s poorest children.

Marks & Spencer reported an increase in UK sales growth today after it received a boost from bank holidays due to the royal wedding and Easter.

MARKS & SPENCER boss Marc Bolland continued to stamp his mark on the business yesterday as he unveiled plans to redesign stores following complaints from customers that outlets were “difficult to shop” in.

Marks & Spencer was the FTSE 100 Index’s top faller today despite posting a 13% rise in annual profits as analysts fretted that its results could be “as good as it gets” for the retailer.

The FTSE 100 Index pushed closer to a six-week high after retail stocks surged following a better-than-expected update from bellwether Marks & Spencer.

Retail giant Marks & Spencer today posted a slowdown in sales in the first three months of the year but surprised the markets with unexpected overall growth.