Marks & Spencer is to shut six stores on the continent, including four that have been open for less than 12 months, to stem losses. The two closures in Germany and two in France will cost 310 jobs, but should boost company profits by £10 million sterling (€15.22 million) in a full year at a one-off cost of £17 million. Last year, the group's European operations lost £27 million.

The closures are embarrassing for the company, whose annual report last year said: "Marks & Spencer has ambitious plans for Germany."