Posh dress gives M&S a boost

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Marie Claire news: Marks & Spencer leather dress that Posh bought

MARKS & SPENCER has reported an 11.5% rise in profits – in part thanks to Victoria Beckham snapping up one of their leather dresses, making it the most popular autumn must-buy.

M&S bosses described the £149 little black dress as 'easily the biggest hit of the season', after the Spice Girl ordered a size eight version – with instructions to take it in for her size 6 frame - three weeks before it hit the shop shelves.

The publicity surrounding Posh's purchase meant that 30% of the first order was sold online before the dress even reached the store.

A second batch of 400 delivered last month to the Marble Arch store sold out in 48 hours.

Analysts have pointed out the huge impact a celebrity endorsement has on the success of a product.

Another big autumn success was a wool coat modelled in a campaign fronted by the band Take That for the Autograph range. Sales of the coat surged 245% after the launch of the campaign.

Chief executive, Stuart Rose, said: 'Whilst the short-term economic outlook remains uncertain, the actions we have taken to reposition and revitalise M&S over the last three years put us in a good position to outperform and give us confidence in long term growth prospects.'