Marks & Spencer reported a 1.9-percent increase in sales in the first three months of the year, with like-for-like general merchandising sales up 0.7 percent. This was the UK retailer best performance in nearly four years. Food sales also increased by 0.7 percent in stores that have been opened at least 12 months, while online sales were up by nearly 14 percent. However, overall international sales, impacted by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and Russia’s sour economy, fell 3.8 percent. Analysts are estimating the retailer’s pre-tax profit will hit GBP 641m for the year, up from GBP 623m in 2014.
