M&S profits slide despite rise in food sales

M&S profits have slipped for the 26 weeks to 1 October and food sales growth has slowed despite the retailer declaring that its food offer has “performed strongly”. Pre-tax profits at the group fell eight per cent on the same period last year to £320.5 million, and although the company’s food sales were up 2.1 per cent year on year for the six-month period, UK food sales slowed in the second quarter compared to the previous three-month period.