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Tuesday 07 October, 2003

Marks & Spencer Grp

Trading Statement

Marks & Spencer Group PLC
07 October 2003

Issued: Tuesday 7 October 2003

                  MARKS & SPENCER QUARTER 2 TRADING STATEMENT

UK Trading

UK sales (inc. VAT) for the 11-week period to 27th September and the 26-week
half-year period to the same date were:

             11 weeks to 27th September      26 weeks to 27th September
                   % on last year                  % on last year

               Actual       Like-for-like      Actual      Like-for-like

Clothing       +0.9%                           +2.5%
and
Footwear

Home (inc.     -1.7%                           +0.1%
Gifts)
               _____                           _____

General        +0.6%         Level             +2.3%            +1.7%

Food           +5.4%         +1.6%             +6.9%            +3.4%
               _____                           _____

Total          +2.6%         +0.6%             +4.2%*           +2.4%
               _____                           _____

* Excluding VAT, total sales were approximately +4.3%.

Total clothing sales for the quarter were up 0.9%, with sales of clothing at
full price increasing by approximately 3% as we put some 10% less stock than
last year into the Summer sale.

Within Home, progress has been made this quarter in most categories but as
expected furniture sales declined, as we re-position our business in a market
driven increasingly by promotional activity.

The quarterly Food performance benefited from the strong contribution from new
space.
                                    
Commenting on the Trading Statement, Roger Holmes, Chief Executive said:

'Clothing performance this quarter has been reasonable. We have delivered a 3%
increase in full price sales and put less stock into the Summer sale. The
continuation of the hot summer weather did not help our clothing performance in
September, but overall we have held market share for the half-year.

'As expected, Home sales have been impacted by the changes we are making to
build stronger foundations for future growth, plans for which include the
opening of the stand-alone Lifestore in early Spring. Food performance remains
strong, with the Simply Food format being well received by our customers. In
Marks & Spencer Money, the new '&more' loyalty card was launched yesterday.'


For further information, please contact:

Media enquiries:
Marks & Spencer Corporate Press Office:  020 7268 1919

Photography:
Photography available from:
www.newscast.co.uk
or
www.marksandspencer.com/mediacentre

Analyst enquiries:
Tony Quinlan      020 7268 4195
Sarah McGlyne     020 7268 1563



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