Marks & Spencer announce same store sales down 0.5% for the last quarter versus an expected fall of 1.6%. Although the figures are still weak they are far better than expected and an indication that the retail market is starting to show signs of picking up. Their overseas sales increased by 9.6% and on-line sales by 30%. They also announced plans to hire an additional 20,000 seasonal workers for the Christmas period. Sterling on the positive news rising from 1.6020 to 1.6050 and taking out small stops on the way..