M&S ended 4.4% higher after like-for-like general merchandising sales rose 0.7% in the three months to March 30.
Bottling company Coca Cola HBC topped the risers, closing up 4.6%.
The benchmark FTSE 100 closed up almost 24 points, or 0.35%, at 6,833.46.
M&S saw overall sales rise by 1.9% over the quarter, with like-for-like food sales also up 0.7%. Online sales jumped nearly 14%, returning M&S.com to growth.
The biggest blue-chip faller was BHP Biliton, shedding 2.6%, while fellow miners Antofagasta and Anglo American also slipped 2.1% and 1.9% respectively.
Outside the main index, drug company BTG finished up 4.8% after raising its annual revenue forecast, while Telecom Plus was the top riser on the FTSE 250, adding 4.9%.
Electrocomponents shed almost 3.6%, leaving it as the biggest faller on the 250.
On the currency markets, the pound was down slightly against the dollar at $1.4844, while against the euro, it was down almost 1% at â‚¬1.3655.

Stephen Evans, 18, from Holywell, appeared before Flintshire magistrates on Monday.
It is alleged he intended to put life in danger, or was reckless as to whether life would be endangered, amid allegations the cars were close to people's homes.
He was remanded in custody.
Magistrates said the case should be sent to Mold Crown Court where he will appear at a preliminary hearing on Friday 11 September.
(Close): Marks & Spencer was among the biggest risers on the FTSE 100 on the last day of trading before the Easter break after the retailer announced a rise in non-food sales for the first time in almost four years.
[NEXT_CONCEPT]
A man has been charged with 12 counts of arson after a dozen vehicles were allegedly torched in Holywell, Flintshire.