Marks & Spencer (M&S) saw its turnaround in fortunes recognised today when it was named Europe's top department store.
According to the independent pollster Mintel, M&S took more money than any of its continental competitors in 2005/6.
The news will be welcomed by chief executive Stuart Rose, who has successfully fought off a number of takeover bids and returned the once ailing retailer to profitability.
M&S rang-up close to £5 billion during the financial year putting it top of the pile ahead of El Corte Ingles of Spain and France's Galeries Lafayette.
UK-based companies accounted for four of the top ten.
John Lewis, the retailer owned by its staff, came in at number six, just ahead of Debenhams in seventh and House of Fraser in ninth.
Germany was the only other country to have two or more representatives with Karstadt and Kaufhof both included.
Further indication of M&S' recovery came last month when it was linked with a possible bid for supermarket giant Sainsbury.
While the firm announced it would not be making an approach, the fact that the board was considering acquisitions shows how far M&S has come since it was being stalked by retail tycoon Philip Green.
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