M&S UK reports ‘historically high’ November 2025 market share
Food underlying sales increased 6.6%, with like-for-like sales up 5.6%, its Christmas financial results show
Print8 January 2026
UK retailer, M&S, has reported that it has outperformed the market for more than three years in both value and volume, and in November market share reached 4%, a historical high, it’s Christmas trading report shows.
In the 13 weeks to 27 December 2025, M&S UK highlighted that its focus was on delivering a strong seasonal offer for its customers and restoring progress in it’s ‘Reshaping’ strategy.
In the lead up to Christmas Food volumes outperformed the market, and Fashion, Home & Beauty performance improved, with a return to growth online, the retailer noted.
This was despite an environment marked by fragile consumer confidence and milder weather, it added.
Sales increase
Food underlying sales increased 6.6%, with like-for-like sales up 5.6% and UK volume growth of 2.3%.
Strong operational execution and the sell-through of Christmas hero lines resulted in higher sales and lower markdown and waste versus the prior year.
Sales growth was underpinned by strength in core grocery categories, with innovation and quality upgrades – such as Italian ready meals, in-store bakery and deli.
In the period M&S saw an increase in both shoppers and frequency. Value ranges, including ‘Remarksable Value’ and ‘Bigger Pack, Better Value’, grew by 20% as we continue to expand the available range.
‘Record numbers’
In a statement, Stuart Machin, chief executive, M&S, said: “A record number of customers shopped M&S this Christmas.
“From the festive food shop, to picking up party outfits and gifts, millions more trusted M&S to deliver the family Christmas.
“Food sales were strong and the business continues to outperform, hitting a new market share milestone in the period.
“We are the UK’s fastest growing grocer for families, reflecting our investment in value and core family staples, and demonstrating progress in our journey to become a shopping list retailer.
“Fashion, Home & Beauty is getting back on track as we work through the tail end of recovery.
“Sales overall were slightly down but online performance continued to improve as digital sales recovered.
“We planned a bigger sale this year, with strong sell-through already making way for our new season lines.”
Looking ahead
N&S noted that as it enters 2026, its plan is to accelerate the reshaping strategy against the context of an uncertain consumer environment.
It stated that its focus is on the customer: creating exceptional products, increasing investment in trusted value, transforming stores and online experience, improving supply chains and delivering structural cost reductions.
“We enter this new calendar year full of ambition and laser focused on our plan to reshape M&S for further growth. In Food, we have even more first to market innovation coming and further investment in quality and price,” Machin added.
“And in Fashion, our new season ranges are resonating well with customers as we double down on value, quality and style.”
M&S concluded that its full-year guidance remains unchanged.
Read more: M&S appoints British Airways boss to Board
© 2026, by ShelfLife reporter
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