Marks & Spencer (M&S), one of Britain’s leading retailers, is entering the crucial Christmas trading period with strong momentum in its food business. According to market researcher NIQ,

M&S was the second fastest-growing brick-and-mortar grocer in the UK in the 12 weeks leading up to November 30, trailing only discounter Lidl.

NIQ's data revealed that M&S's grocery sales increased by 10.6% year-on-year during this period, while Lidl saw an 11.6% rise. Meanwhile, online supermarket Ocado outpaced all competitors, recording a 16.2% growth in sales.

The findings align with a report released by rival researcher Kantar earlier this week, although Kantar’s data does not include M&S.

M&S is known to perform exceptionally well during the holiday season as consumers gravitate toward its premium product ranges. Last month, the retailer projected robust Christmas trading, buoyed by a 17% increase in first-half profits, a clear sign that its ongoing turnaround strategy is yielding results. M&S’s share price has surged 43% this year.

NIQ also highlighted trends across the broader supermarket sector. UK supermarket sales in the four weeks to November 30 grew by 3.7% year-on-year, a slight deceleration compared to 4.0% growth in October. The slowdown was attributed to milder weather, the distraction of Black Friday promotions, and shoppers delaying their holiday purchases until December.

Additionally, promotional activity increased in November, with 25% of sales made on discount, up from 24% in October.

M&S's strong performance sets a promising tone as the retailer heads into the final stretch of the year, aiming to capitalize on festive consumer spending. Photo by Mtaylor848, Wikimedia commons.