Marks & Spencer (M&S) boss Stuart Rose has hailed a "recovery" at the British high street chain after sales surged in the build-up to Christmas.
M&S said same-store sales were 5.6 per cent higher between October and December in Britain than they were in the same period 12 months earlier.
Mr Rose, who until today has refused to use what he calls "the r-word", said: "We have now delivered growth on growth in all areas of our business, thus completing the first part of our recovery plan."
M&S said like-for-like sales in general merchandise including clothes were up 7.1 per cent in the three-month period, while food sales were up 3.6 per cent.
Total sales growth including new and expanded stores was 9.2 per cent, with general merchandise up 9 per cent and food up 9.5 per cent. It was also a good quarter for internet sales, which were up 70 per cent at M&S, with the website attracting nine million customers.
Overall, third-quarter growth was slightly slower than in the first and second quarters but was against much tougher comparatives following a strong Christmas in 2005.