MKS getting it in the neck this xmas - sales plummet - guardian

The biggest casualties appear to have been clothes stores, with several big names suffering. French Connection and Gap slashed prices in the final days before Christmas while Marks & Spencer has had mixed fortunes. Experts say food sales - which are twice as big as clothing sales - did well over Christmas, but this is unlikely to stop the high street giant disappointing analysts with its trading statement next month.

'Clothing in general seems to have been poor, and M&S seems to be losing market share. It's been doing a fair bit of discounting,' Bubb said.