When a national retailer conducts a mid-season sale, the general concensus suggests a poor turnover of clothing sales. With Marks & Spencer clearing their winter stock in a mid-season sale, The Daily Telegraph raises concern about their retail performance with the retailer offering big reductions on womenswear and other product lines.

M&S claims the reductions are normal practice to reduce winter stock and make way for the new spring lines. The group further iterated the sale would be 'short and sharp' and that it takes place at the same time each year, and is not a new endeavour.

Other retailers have followed suit, with Next running a one-day only sale at the weekend to clear stock and Allders conducting a sale with discounted stock and their department store.