Marks & Spencer news and archive

Marks & Spencer receives government backing for Marble Arch demolition

After years of back-and-forth legal matters, British department store giant Marks & Spencer’s has finally received approval from the secretary of state to demolish its Marble Arch location. With this backing, Marks & Spencer will be able to move forward with its redevelopment for the store, plans of which had first been submitted back in March...

Fashion |Interview Featured

Marks & Spencer design head on incoming trends and how it builds collections

As the new year fast approaches, retailers are continuing to prep for the upcoming SS25 season. A one that promises wide-ranging shifts in both the needs and tastes of customers, who are tightening their wallets while yielding to the revolving format of micro and seasonal trends. It's a juxtaposition that presents an interesting challenge for...

Fashion Featured

Watch: From hero gnomes to stylish goats, all the festive fashion films to know for 2024

It’s that time of the year, again. Brands and retailers across the globe have begun unveiling their always highly anticipated festive campaigns. This season, trends seem to revolve around flipping the script on the stress usually associated with the season; incorporating well-known (animated) figures into the storyline; and proposing new...

ManagementFeatured

M&S posts 17.2 percent growth in H1 profit

For the first six month period, Marks and Spencer (M&S) recorded a pre-tax profit increase of 17.2 percent to 407.8 million pounds, while statutory pre-tax profit rose to 391.9 million pounds. The company’s clothing & home sales increased 4.7 percent, with LFL sales up 5.3 percent. Sales growth improved by 8.1 percent in the second quarter, with...

Retail

Marks & Spencer to add self-service checkouts to fitting rooms

British department store retailer Marks & Spencer is in the process of adding self-service checkouts to its fitting rooms in order to create a smoother transaction process. “We’d like customers to be able to walk straight into the fitting room with no queue, try on what they’ve chosen then pay there and just walk out,” Marks & Spencer operations...

Business

Marks & Spencer eyeing Midlands warehouse in preparation for ‘sales boom’

British department store Marks & Spencer is said to be eyeing up a “jumbo-sized” warehouse in the Midlands in anticipation of a potential online sales boom. This is according to the Telegraph, which said that the retailer was exploring a deal for a new one million square foot warehouse, yet a firm decision for the property has not been made. The...

BusinessFeatured

Cascale Meeting: Sustainable transformation requires patience

Around 600 corporate social responsibility (CSR) executives from the global textile industry gathered in Munich for Cascale’s annual member meeting. Representatives from major brands and retailers - from LVMH to Zalando, Marks & Spencer and Walmart - took to the stage and filled the audience to exchange progress and challenges on the path to...

Retail

Marks & Spencer to trial fashion-only store amid clothing resurgence

British high street giant Marks & Spencer could be pivoting its retail strategy as it looks to trial its first fashion-only store at the Battersea Power Station. Situated in London, the location would aim to primarily target younger shoppers in response to an increase in sales among the consumer group, as was stated to The Telegraph, which...

Fashion

Marks & Spencer introduces stoma knicker range

British department store Marks & Spencer has revealed a new range of knickers for people with stomas as part of efforts by its in-house lingerie team to offer more accessible underwear options. According to the company, it is the first UK high street retailer to introduce such products, the decision behind which was driven by the personal...

Retail

Marks & Spencer to open new flagship stores in Bath and Bristol

British department store chain Marks & Spencer is expanding its retail fleet with the opening of two new flagship stores in Bath and Bristol. For the latter, the opening marks a return to the city for the company, which has been upping its investment into the retail sector in recent years, with its store in Bristol to be backed by a 21 million...

Business

Marks & Spencer launches clothing repair service with Sojo

British department store retailer Marks & Spencer has launched a clothing repair service in partnership with Sojo as an extension of its Plan A Accelerator Fund to invest in bolstering the circular economy. A dedicated online hub will allow customers to select and book a range of bespoke repair and alteration services, including zip replacements...

Business

Marks & Spencer reverses ban on alpaca wool

British department store giant Marks & Spencer has made a U-turn on its decision to ban alpaca wool from its offering despite possible backlash from animal activists. The retailer reportedly confirmed the move to The Telegraph, stating that the reversal came alongside the introduction of Textile Exchange’s Responsible Alpaca Standard (RAS),...