Marks & Spencer posts ninth consecutive clothing sales drop as it faces crucial Christmas to turn round falling profits

Marks & Spencer has revealed its ninth consecutive quarter of falling clothing sales today and now faces a make-or-break Christmas to turn round its fortunes.
The retail giant's first-half pre-tax profits for 2013 declined by nine per cent to £261.1m, well down on the £289.5m the previous year.
The High Street stalwart said like-for-like clothing and homeware sales fell 1.3 per cent during
its July to September quarter.

Decline: Marks & Spencer today revealed its ninth consecutive quarter of falling clothing sales, which has also hit profits

Christmas hope: This week M&S launches its Christmas 'Believe in Magic and Sparkle' advertisement which has a glossy Alice in Wonderland theme and stars Rosie Huntington-Whitely

The numbers will increase the pressure on chief executive Marc Bolland, who will be disappointed that clothing sales have refused to recover and will blame the unseasonably warm autumn weather and fierce competition on the High Street.

Bolland attempted to revive clothes sales, particularly womenswear, earlier this year when he unveiled a new autumn/winter collection that analysts described as 'make or break' for M&S and its chief executive.

 

The latest sales figures cover the period up to the end of September, so Bolland will defend performance and say that a fuller picture of its autumn/winter collection’s success will be due in January.  
It makes this year’s Christmas trading period even more crucial, and if it did not go well he mis job may be under threat.
Today M&S launches its Christmas ‘Believe in Magic and Sparkle’ advertisement with a glossy Alice in Wonderland theme.
It stars Rosie Huntingdon-Whitely as Alice, David Gandy as the Mad Hatter and Helena Bonham Carter as the Wizard of Oz.
Another disastrous festive trading period will further test shareholders’ patience who have become disillusioned with the retail giant’s performance since Bolland took over in May 2010. 

Magical entrance: After falling through a hole in the road when chasing her dog, Rosie makes a stylish crash-landing in the giant's new Christmas campaign

Glamour: Welcome to the Mad Hatter's tea party, hosted by model David Gandy in Autograph menswear

Pressure: The numbers will increase the pressure on chief executive Marc Bolland, who will be disappointed that clothing sales have refused to recover

On trend: The new autumn/winter collection, which featured an advertising campaign shot by Annie Leibovitz, was described by analysts as 'make or break' for M&S and its chief executive

Freddie George, analyst at Cantor Fitzgerald, believes although the company is adopting the right strategy to revitalise its womenswear, he continues to have a number of concerns.  
He says: ‘It will take a number of seasons before there is a marked improvement in performance in womenswear.’