Marks and Spencer’s food business “did very well in a difficult market” according to the group’s trading report for the 13 weeks to June 27, a period which was described as “challenging” for the business in overall terms.
While having to absorb a decline in non-food performance, M&S chief executive, Marc Bolland, welcomed a 3.2% rise in food sales as a “strong” showing in a highly competitive market for the business which has the top porkwatch rating of all UK supermarkets.
“Our food business delivered another excellent quarter, outperforming the market,” said Mr Bolland, adding that the period covered by the latest figures had included the launch of 700 new lines including the new Taste of the British Isles range.
“We are also on track to open around 90 Simply Food stores this year and continue to see good performance from stores opened to date.”
M&S has a 100% British sourcing rating for pork, bacon and sausages in the latest porkwatch summary, which covers sales to the end of May. The group’s only non-100% pigmeat item is ham, for which the M&S score is 99%.