Green sends message to ailing M&S

ENTREPRENEUR Philip Green is poised to deliver a crushing snub to ailing rival Marks & Spencer this week.

He will release figures for Bhs that will underline the spectacular gulf between his clothing chain and its ailing rival.

After the billionaire retail entrepreneur was thwarted in his attempt to buy M&S this summer, he vowed to go head-to-head on the High Street and his Arcadia and Bhs chains would 'trade their socks off'.

Now Green plans to release figures for Bhs just 24 hours after M&S publishes a dismal trading statement. Bhs was originally expected to report results later this month, but they have been brought forward to Wednesday.

Sources close to Green insist that the Bhs figures have not been brought forward to embarrass M&S. But the differences between the fortunes of the two chains will inevitably spark headlines favourable to Green.

If the Bhs figures do not give M&S investors enough food for thought, Green will have another opportunity to drive home the message.

He plans to announce the results of his Burton-to-Top Shop group Arcadia next week - at the same time as M&S holds a special meeting to allow for shareholder approval of its offer to buy back shares.