Marks and Spencer Group PLC (LSE:MKS) is widely expected to have enjoyed a bumper Christmas, leaving investors awaiting next Thursday, January 9’s update with high hopes.
Figures ahead of the vital trading period in early December pointed to a boom in grocery sales at the food, home and clothing retailer.
Both NIQ and Kantar flagged a 10%-plus jump over the three months to December as shoppers flocked for premium festive season treats.
Each also forecast strong growth in the remaining weeks before Christmas, with M&S having also previously guided towards solid festive trading in interim results beforehand.
“We have the best Christmas food range I've seen in my time at M&S and the most stylish seasonal clothing offer yet,” chief executive Stuart Machin said at the time.
“We know customers are looking forward to celebrating Christmas with M&S.”
AJ Bell analyst Russ Mould noted investors had backed M&S to have enjoyed a strong Christmas period as shares gained over 3% on the new year’s first day of trading.
“There were already reports pre-Christmas that shoppers were loading up their baskets with M&S’ premium-quality food and drink products,” Mould said.
“Its clothes were such a big hit with the nation during 2024 that it seems logical to suggest many people gifted them on 25 December,” he added.