Trading Statement

Marks & Spencer PLC
16 January 2002


16th January 2002

                      MARKS & SPENCER TRADING STATEMENT

                             UK: Sales (inc. VAT)

Sales for the 7-week period to 12th January, 2002 and the 15-week period from
30th September, 2001 to 12th January, 2002 were:

                                     7 weeks to               15 weeks to

                                    12th January              12th January

                                   % on Last Year            % on Last Year

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

Clothing, Footwear and Gifts  +10.9           -           +8.0         -

Home                          +10.2           -           +9.9         -
                              _____         _____        _____       _____

General                       +10.8         +10.4         +8.2       +8.3

Food                           +6.2          +5.4         +6.0       +5.2
                              _____         _____        _____       _____

                       Total   +8.9          +8.3         +7.3       +7.0

                               ____         _____        _____       _____


  * Like-for-like sales have been estimated by comparing total sales with
    new, developed and closed stores excluded.

Performance improved over the last 15 weeks in all adult clothing areas,
particularly in womenswear, building on the strength of the autumn Perfect
campaign. 'per una' was rolled-out to the planned 90 stores by the first week
of December, where on average it represented some 15% of womenswear space and
revenue in those stores.

Sales were strong in the critical pre-Christmas weeks, with little price
discounting. As a result, some 25% less stock than last year was put into the
post-Christmas sale.

Like-for-like food sales of 5.2% exceeded the first half year's performance of
4.2%.

Commenting on the Trading Statement, Luc Vandevelde, Chairman and Chief
Executive, said:

'In a buoyant clothing market, we are pleased to see our customers responding
to the better appeal, quality and availability of our clothing as well as the
store environment. We are also encouraged with the performance of foods,
particularly over Christmas, a period when our market share increases
significantly.

While we do not assume a continuation of the recent market conditions for
general merchandise, we will continue to deliver improvements for our
customers, such as the early roll-out of Spring collections in womenswear and
the launch of Blue Harbour, the new casualwear range for men. The signs are
encouraging and lead me to believe our recovery programme is on track.'

Return of Capital

It remains our intention to return £2 billion to shareholders on a pro-rata
basis in March 2002 and full details on the return will be announced next
week.

                                     Ends

For further information please contact:

Marks & Spencer Corporate Press Office             0207 268 1919

Marks & Spencer Investor Relations                 0207 268 4195

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