Marks & Spencer reported a 5.6 per cent rise in like-for-like food sales in the Christmas quarter but clothing, home and beauty sales fell 2.9 per cent, reflecting lingering issues from last year's cyber hack and weaker demand on the high street.
Chief executive Stuart Machin said a record number of customers shopped with M&S in the period.
"Food sales were strong and the business continues to outperform, hitting a new market share milestone in the period," he said on Thursday.
"Fashion, Home & Beauty is getting back on track as we work through the tail end of recovery."
The drop in clothing sales was driven by a poor performance in stores, which had offset a recovery in online, it said.
It said a higher amount of stock was discounted in its post-Christmas sale, but sell-through rates had been strong.
In November, M&S said it would have fully recovered from April's cyber hack by the end of its financial year to March, forecasting second-half profit "at least" in line with last year.
It said on Thursday its full-year guidance was unchanged.
Its profit in the first half slumped 55.4 per cent, after the shutdown of its online operation caused fashion, home and beauty sales to slide 16.4 per cent.
(Reuters)