{"id":7954,"date":"2026-11-01T20:35:30","date_gmt":"2026-11-01T20:35:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vaultinsider.top\/?p=7954"},"modified":"2026-11-01T20:35:30","modified_gmt":"2026-11-01T20:35:30","slug":"ms-packs-a-punch-as-christmas-campaign-begin-daily-business","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vaultinsider.top\/?p=7954","title":{"rendered":"M&S packs a punch as Christmas campaign begin \u2013 Daily Business"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Lucy Punch: face of M&S advertising campaign (pic: BBC)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Marks & Spencer will unveil its Christmas plans this week after recruiting Lucy Punch, star of the sitcom Amandaland, as the face of its advertising campaign.<\/p>\n

The campaign comes ahead of half-year results on Wednesday and Kate Calvert, head of retail and consumer research at Investec bank, forecasts pre-tax profits of \u00a3397 million, more than double the previous year\u2019s \u00a3184m.<\/p>\n

However, last year M&S was reeling from a serious cyber-attack that forced the suspension of its online and click-and-collect orders.<\/p>\n

Calvert expects a 12.5% increase in food sales to \u00a3252m and a 20% jump in food, home and beauty sales to \u00a3197m.<\/p>\n

M&S chief executive Stuart Machin has emphasised the focus on food, home and beauty, saying \u201cthe hard yards start here\u201d.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Management at fashion and home interiors group Next <\/strong>has already lowered second-half expectations, though analysts believe it could improve on guidance.<\/p>\n

One of the best British summers on record helped Next grow full-price sales by nearly 8% in the first half and the UK high street is no longer where the opportunity lies for Next, say AJ Bell analysts.<\/p>\n

Strong overseas online growth is being driven by localised digital marketing spending via its European distribution partnership with Zalando.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe problem with success is that investors keep raising the bar and with the shares trading close to all-time highs amid an enviable track record of profit upgrades, there is no room for disappointment\u201d.<\/p>\n

Primark <\/strong>owner Associated British Foods<\/strong> will be hoping its decision to offer home delivery will boost the fashion chain\u2019s subdued performance before its planned spin-off in 2027.<\/p>\n

Home delivery could remove one of Primark\u2019s biggest barriers to growth, but convenience comes at a cost. The test is whether Primark can add online sales without sacrificing the low prices and store economics that made the brand successful.<\/p>\n

With full-year numbers largely in the rear-view mirror, the focus shifts to whether resilience elsewhere in the conglomerate\u2019s portfolio will be sweet enough to offset expected deterioration in Sugar during 2027.<\/p>\n

DIARY<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

Monday 2 November<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n
  • In the US, quarterly earnings from Apple<\/strong>, Berkshire Hathaway<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Tuesday 3 November<\/strong><\/p>\n

      \n
    • Full-year results from Associated British Foods<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Wednesday 4 November<\/strong><\/p>\n

        \n
      • Full-year results from Smiths News<\/strong><\/li>\n
      • Half-yearresults from Trainline<\/strong><\/li>\n
      • Third-quarter results from Smith & Nephew<\/strong><\/li>\n
      • Trading updates from Barratt Redrow, JD Wetherspoon<\/strong>, Marks & Spencer<\/strong>, Prudential<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        Thursday 5 November<\/strong><\/p>\n

          \n
        • Full-year results from Asos<\/strong><\/li>\n
        • Half-year results from Autotrader<\/strong>, National Grid<\/strong>, RS Group<\/strong> and Tate & Lyle<\/strong>,<\/li>\n
        • Trading update from Next<\/strong><\/li>\n
        • Asos, Autotrader,\u00a0BT Group<\/strong>, Croda International,\u00a0Diageo<\/strong>, Harbour Energy, M&G,<\/strong><\/li>\n
        • Bank of England interest rate decision<\/li>\n
        • US weekly jobless claims<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          Friday 6 November<\/strong><\/p>\n

            \n
          • Third-quarter earnings from IAG<\/strong><\/li>\n
          • UK Halifax house price index for October<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            \t <\/div>\n