Marks and Spencer Group PLC (LSE:MKS) gained on Tuesday on the back of figures suggesting the retailer’s strong end the last year had continued into 2025.
According to industry data compiled by Kantar, bricks-and-mortar sales at M&S jumped by 10.5% over the 12 weeks to January 26.
This meant in-store sales growth from M&S topped those from rivals, including its 50%-owned Ocado Retail business, where sales climbed by 11.3%.
And M&S's growth was well ahead of the sector as a whole, with total till roll ticking up 2.8% to £36.83 million.
Tesco PLC (LSE:TSCO) and J Sainsbury PLC (LSE:SBRY), the UK’s largest supermarkets, saw sales grow by 5.6% and 4.2% respectively in the meantime.
Discounters enjoyed growth too, with sales at Lidl climbing by 7.4% and Aldi’s increasing 4.2%.
M&S had flagged record figures in the run-up to Christmas, aided by strong appetite for premium products over the festive period.
Shares climbed 2.3% to 343p on Tuesday.