Marks & Spencer Surpasses Waitrose in Market Share

Marks & Spencer (M&S) has overtaken Waitrose in market share for the first time outside the Christmas season, reaching a 4.03% share compared to Waitrose's 3.91%. This shift marks a significant turnaround for M&S, which has seen its market share grow from 3.76% a year earlier, while Waitrose's share has declined. The success of M&S is attributed to competitive pricing, a robust investment strategy including new store openings, and a focus on appealing to middle-class shoppers as part of its broader revival plan under CEO Stuart Machin. M&S reported an impressive 11% increase in grocery sales over the last four weeks, outpacing competitors like Lidl and Sainsbury's. This competitive edge has led to improvements in store experience and product offerings, positioning M&S favorably as the Christmas shopping season approaches. Analysts suggest that this shift could lead to intensified competition between M&S and Waitrose in the coming months.