M&S says cash-strapped customers buying Christmas gifts early

LONDON (Reuters) - British retailer Marks & Spencer said customers were buying earlier for Christmas to try to spread out the cost of the season at a time when rising inflation is squeezing household budgets.

Katie Bickerstaffe, co-Chief executive officer, told reporters on a call that customers have already bought about 30% of their Christmas gifts.

(Reporting by James Davey, writing by Sarah Young; Editing by Kate Holton)