M&S’s interim results for H1 26/27 show food sales growth that continues to outpace much of the wider market, strengthening its position as a mainstream grocery destination and reinforcing its ambition to become a serious challenger to the UK’s supermarket giants.

For the 26 weeks to September 26, M&S food sales increased 13.9% to £5.16bn, while like-for-like sales rose 11.7%. Food volumes grew 11.9% despite what the retailer described as a flat market, helping group sales rise 16.2% to £9.26bn and adjusted pre-tax profit more than double to £403.2m.

Chief executive Stuart Machin said the performance demonstrated the success of M&S’s strategy to win a greater share of customers’ regular grocery spending.

“Our Food business is ahead, delivering double-digit volume growth in a flat market and we have momentum as the UK’s fastest growing grocer. One and a half million more customers are shopping with us and our continued focus on quality, innovation and value is appealing to more families, as we become more of a shopping list retailer,” he said.

The results suggest M&S is moving beyond its traditional role as an occasional premium food destination. M&S had previously stated that it plans to double the size of its food business, meaning it would look to become more of a regular weekly shop destination. The results show that this plan remains on track, supported by continued investment in stores, technology and supply chain capabilities.

Online grocery growth is also contributing to that momentum through M&S’s partnership with Ocado Retail.

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