Marks and Spencer's clothing and footwear sales fell 2.2 percent between April and the end of September. This slump is being attributed to unseasonably warm weather during September which meant that consumers held back on buying new clothes for the colder months.

M&S indicate that sales in womenswear were on the up, increasing by 1.3 percent for the first five months of 2014.

The company surprised markets by posting profits that are 2.3 percent head of market expectations, beating market targets for the first time in 4 years. The profit figures were due to cuts in costs across the company.

The better-than-expected profit figures led to an unexpected jump in the company’s share price, it rose by 8 percent.

The good weather hurt fashion retailers across the board. Next recently issued a profit warning and M&S, Debenhams, House of Fraser and New Look were all forced to prematurely discount stock. In some cases new stock was reduced by up to 30 percent within weeks of appearing in shops.

Online sales are down 6.3 percent, this fall is being put down to teething problems with its new website.

The company also says that it is working on improving its distribution network after experiencing problems supplying individual stores with popular items.

Food sales have remained strong, increasing for the 20th consecutive quarter, up 1 percent. 

While the company warns that the retail environment is still difficult it is planning a Christmas onslaught in the hope of guaranteeing a strong performance in the final quarter. They are adding 1,300 items to their range of Christmas gifts and decorations, a 47 percent increase on last year. They will also add 300 new seasonal food products.