Online Christmas shopping led to a 22.4 per cent rise in internet sales for Marks and Spencer over the festive period, according to the company's fourth quarter results.

This boost in growth in its Direct division, which deals with ecommerce, helped lead to a 2.4 per cent year-on-year rise in overall sales across the Marks and Spencer group.

Total UK sales increased 1.8 per cent, with food sales seeing a traditional Christmas jump and moving up 4.5 per cent over the festive period.

Chief executive Mark Bolland said the company was pleased with its performance in the difficult economic environment surrounding British retail.

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our employees for their hard work in delivering a great Christmas for our customers," he added.

Clothes retailer N Brown recently announced plans to concentrate on online sales after an impressive trading performance from this sector in 2011.
 

Author:  Gillian Walters