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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
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| M&S sees clothing sales fall over Christmas period | M&S sees clothing sales fall over Christmas period |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Marks and Spencer has reported its 14th consecutive quarterly drop in clothing sales, blaming unseasonal autumn weather. | Marks and Spencer has reported its 14th consecutive quarterly drop in clothing sales, blaming unseasonal autumn weather. |
| The retailer said like-for-like general merchandise sales - which are mainly clothing - fell 5.8% in the third quarter. | The retailer said like-for-like general merchandise sales - which are mainly clothing - fell 5.8% in the third quarter. |
| Meanwhile, online sales fell 5.9%, despite a revamped website. | |
| M&S chief executive Marc Bolland said the company had a "difficult quarter in general merchandise". | M&S chief executive Marc Bolland said the company had a "difficult quarter in general merchandise". |
| In October and November trading was adversely affected by "unseasonal" mild weather, which had a negative impact on sales, the company said. | In October and November trading was adversely affected by "unseasonal" mild weather, which had a negative impact on sales, the company said. |
| In December, disruption at M&S' Castle Donington online sales distribution centre badly affected online sales, which in turn hit general merchandise sales in the month. | In December, disruption at M&S' Castle Donington online sales distribution centre badly affected online sales, which in turn hit general merchandise sales in the month. |
| However, the company said it had a "good performance" in terms of its profit margin by avoiding heavy discounting in December. | However, the company said it had a "good performance" in terms of its profit margin by avoiding heavy discounting in December. |
| The firm also reported record sales for festive food. | The firm also reported record sales for festive food. |
| 'Dismal' | 'Dismal' |
| "M&S had a very good Christmas in food. We delivered record Christmas sales, strongly outperforming the market," Mr Bolland said. | "M&S had a very good Christmas in food. We delivered record Christmas sales, strongly outperforming the market," Mr Bolland said. |
| Analyst firm Conlumino called the M&S trading data a "dismal set of figures". | Analyst firm Conlumino called the M&S trading data a "dismal set of figures". |
| "When it last updated the market back in November, M&S's numbers were showing some signs of improvement," said Conlumino managing director Neil Saunders. | "When it last updated the market back in November, M&S's numbers were showing some signs of improvement," said Conlumino managing director Neil Saunders. |
| "Unfortunately, this dismal set of figures indicates this momentum has not been carried through into the Christmas quarter. | "Unfortunately, this dismal set of figures indicates this momentum has not been carried through into the Christmas quarter. |
| "Even more discouraging is the fact that the progress from Christmas 2013, when M&S presented a fairly sound set of trading numbers, has not been built upon," he said. | "Even more discouraging is the fact that the progress from Christmas 2013, when M&S presented a fairly sound set of trading numbers, has not been built upon," he said. |
| All UK clothing retailers had been affected by warm weather in autumn, leading to discounting, especially on Black Friday, Mr Saunders said. | All UK clothing retailers had been affected by warm weather in autumn, leading to discounting, especially on Black Friday, Mr Saunders said. |
| However, M&S had been let down by its online distribution problems, he continued. | However, M&S had been let down by its online distribution problems, he continued. |
| "This Christmas online was a critical channel for growth, accounting for a higher proportion of sales than ever before. | "This Christmas online was a critical channel for growth, accounting for a higher proportion of sales than ever before. |
| "Unfortunately, M&S's logistical problems meant that it could not properly enjoy the fruits of this growth." | "Unfortunately, M&S's logistical problems meant that it could not properly enjoy the fruits of this growth." |