Marks & Spencer food sales have increased by 3.4 per cent, for the six months ending 30 September, while overall profits fell by 9.7 per cent.

The upmarket retailer's food business reported a 1.1 per cent like-for-like sales increase despite its chief executive, Marc Bolland, describing recent trading as 'volatile'.

'Food outperformed the market on a like-for-like basis,' said Bolland.

A number of factors, including bad weather and weak consumer confidence, have led to a challenging market in 2012, according to the M&S boss.

In a difficult start to the year for the company, for the three months to June 30, M&S reported an eye-watering 6.8 per cent drop in like-for-like sales in general merchandise, which includes clothing, as it faced tough competition on the high street.

However, in Q2 of its financial year to September 30, which coincided with the Olympics and Paralympics, the decline in sales was cut to 1.8 per cent. Despite London hosting the two events, Bolland admits sales were still disappointing.

'We are pleased to report a better performance across the business in the second quarter, but while the Jubilee and the Olympics improved the nation's mood, they did not translate into higher sales,' added Bolland.

The 3.4 per cent rise in food sales marks further progress for the food side of the British retailer's business, with last year's sales rise standing at 2.1 per cent for the 26 weeks to 1 October.

Since joining M&S in 2010, the ex-Morrisons boss has pressed ahead with £2.4 billion plans to turn the retailer into a multi-channel international business, with plans to open stores in Paris and India, and, despite a dip in profits, Bolland insists the venture is going well.

He concluded: 'Eighteen months in, we are making strong progress with our plan to transform M&S into an international multi-channel retailer, and our new international stores are performing well.'

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