The recent management changes, brand rejuvenation strategies and product and store modernisation at Marks & Spencer have not had the impact on sales as expected by the high street retail giant. Instead, the company has reported a drop in sales on both the first quarter and on the year to date.

In the first quarter, total sales were down 0.1 per cent and like-for-like sales down 3.4 per cent. Marks & Spencer chief executive Roger Holmes said: "Sales this quarter are clearly not good enough. We are taking action on a number of fronts to accelerate the transformation of the business and deliver improved performance."

The road to recovery will not be easy, as the group is proposing to offer a more fashionable product and modernise its store concept. Cutting costs will have to be re-examined on all aspects from head office and management to supply chain and operations.

Operating as a store able to offer all things to all people is becoming more and more challenging as the high street is growing more specialised. Bringing in former Selfridges boss Vittorio Radice to launch its move into the home market and revamping the groups stores nationwide has sparked a fear the group's spending could spiral, although the changes will be implemented over a number of years.

While the consumer's confidence may remain intact, Marks & Spencer's sales figures indicate that the recovery it has long-awaited for is not just around the corner.