Trading Statement

Marks & Spencer Group PLC
11 July 2006

         press release



         QUARTER 1 TRADING STATEMENT 2006/07 - 13 weeks to 1 July 2006



  • UK sales up 10.4%: General Merchandise +11.7%; Food +9.2%;
  • UK like for like sales up 8.2%;



UK Sales for the 13 weeks to 1 July 2006 were +10.4% in total with General
Merchandise +11.7% and Food +9.2%.  Within this Clothing was +10.7% and Home
+23.3%. The inclusion of Easter in the first quarter this year added around 0.8%
to both general merchandise and food sales.


Like for like sales %                 Q1            Q2            Q3            Q4            Q1

                                    2005/06       2005/06       2005/06       2005/06      2006/07
General Merchandise                  -11.2         -0.2          +0.8          +8.2         +10.5
Food                                 +0.7          +2.7          +5.1          +5.6         +5.8
Total                                -5.4          +1.3          +2.9          +6.8         +8.2



Stuart Rose, Chief Executive said:

'This is an encouraging performance, albeit against soft comparatives last year.
We continue to focus on improving product, service and the refurbishment of our
store portfolio, 42 of which are currently under development. Market share
continues to grow.* We are creating 4,000 new jobs in our stores to satisfy
extra demand and the new space coming on stream. Despite the challenging trading
environment, we are confident that we can continue to drive the business
profitably.'



The Company confirms that Paul Myners will step down as Chairman at the AGM
later today. He will be succeeded by Lord Burns.





Reporting Timetable 2006/07

The company will next report on 7 November when we will announce our second
quarter trading together with the Interim Results. The third quarter trading
statement will be released as usual in January 2007. Fourth quarter trading will
be announced together with the Preliminary Results in May 2007.



*      Total Clothing & Footwear market share for 12 weeks ending 28 May 2006 up
0.7 percentage points at 10.0% vs. 9.3% last year. Market share for 52 weeks
ending 28 May 2006 10.4% vs. 10.3% last year.

*      Food market share -Total Till Roll for 12 weeks ending 18 June 2006 up
0.6 percentage points at 4.1% vs. 3.5% last year. 52 weeks ending 18 June 2006
4.0% vs. 3.8% last year.


                                      -2-



Statements made in this announcement that look forward in time or that express
management's beliefs, expectations or estimates regarding future occurrences and
prospects are 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of the United
States federal securities laws. These forward-looking statements reflect Marks &
Spencer's current expectations concerning future events and actual results may
differ materially from current expectations or historical results. Any such
forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties,
including failure by Marks & Spencer to predict accurately customer preferences;
decline in the demand for products offered by Marks & Spencer; competitive
influences; changes in levels of store traffic or consumer spending habits;
effectiveness of Marks & Spencer's brand awareness and marketing programmes;
general economic conditions or a downturn in the retail or financial services
industries; acts of war or terrorism worldwide; work stoppages, slowdowns or
strikes; and changes in financial and equity markets.







Contacts:

Investor Relations:

Amanda Mellor                 [phone]

Majda Rainer                  [phone]

Corporate Press Office:       [phone]





Investors & Analysts Conference Call:

This will be hosted by Stuart Rose and Ian Dyson at 08.10 (BST) on Tuesday 11
July 2006:

Dial in number:                     [phone]


A recording of this call will be available until Tuesday 18 July 2006:

Dial in number:                     [phone]

Access Code:                        440659#


                      This information is provided by RNS
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