Marks and Spencer
This coverage analyses Marks and Spencer’s strategy, performance, and influence within the UK retail market. Reporting highlights store operations, product innovation, online developments, financial results, marketing campaigns, and leadership changes. With a focus on commercial impact and competitive dynamics, it offers insights for professionals managing grocery, fashion, and homeware retailing at scale.
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Apr- 2020 -8 AprilDepartment Stores
M&S announces series of initiatives to support NHS staff amid Covid-19
Marks and Spencer has announced a series of initiatives to support NHS staff amid the coronavirus pandemic. M&S has announced it is to donate thousands of specially branded t-shirts to form part of the uniform pack for the NHS Nightingale frontline team in London, as well as deliver clothing care…
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Mar- 2020 -24 MarchCoronavirus
Covid-19: UK retail spending to fall by £12.6bn
The impact of the coronavirus pandemic will wipe £12.6bn from retail sales this year, according to the latest forecast by GlobalData. The data and analytics company said that the figure was the equivalent of Aldi’s total UK sales last year. The total retail market for 2020 is now expected to…
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16 MarchSupermarkets
UK supermarkets appeal for ‘considerate’ spending
British food retailers have written a joint letter urging customers to practice “considerate” spending amid the coronavirus outbreak. The letter was collectively released by such retailers as Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Waitrose, Marks and Spencer, Aldi, Lidl and more, and has been published in national newspapers on Sunday (15 March) and today…
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11 MarchSupermarkets
Ex-Sainsbury’s boss warns of labour shortages amid coronavirus outbreak
Former Sainsbury’s chief executive and current non-executive director at Marks and Spencers, Justin King, has warned that supermarkets need to be “prepared” for a shortage of labour amid the outbreak of the coronavirus. According to Sky News, King said supermarkets are facing a “greater challenge than coronavirus-related panic buying”. Speaking…
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3 MarchSupermarkets
Grocery sales increase in February
UK supermarkets saw “positive growth” in February, as total till sales increased to +0.7% in the last four weeks according to new data from Nielsen. Fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) sales at the top four supermarkets also returned to growth during the month, despite sales in general merchandise declining by…
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Feb- 2020 -25 FebruaryComment
The changing face of retail in the age of digitisation
Retail: the 2020 snapshot It’s no secret that high street retail in Britain has been struggling for the past decade. Since the collapse of Woolworths in 2009, it has been clear that something, somewhere, has been going very wrong on the Great British high street. In fact, currently it is…
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20 FebruaryClothing & Shoes
Laura Ashley reports ‘disappointing’ £4m loss
Fashion retailer Laura Ashley has reported losses before tax of £4m for the half-year period ended 31 December 2019. The retailer attributed the “dissapointing” loss to lower sales in home furnishings and “Brexit uncertainty”, and said revenue disruption was also caused by changes with its Japanese franchise partner. The retailer…
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17 FebruaryHigh Street
M&S warns landlords it may close loss-making stores
Marks and Spencer has reportedly warned landlords that it will shutter loss-making stores, in a move that may see the department store close more sites than the previously announced. According to the Sunday Times, the warning came at a dinner hosted by M&S chairman Archie Norman and chief executive Steve…
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17 FebruaryHigh Street
West country vacancy rates hits double-digits in 2020
The west country has seen the largest increase in retail vacancy rates in the UK, rising from 9.6% in 2016 to 11.2% in 2020, according to new data from Usdaw. The trade union said in the past decade the number of people visiting high streets in the west country dropped…
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14 FebruaryHigh Street
M&S to shutter two distribution centres putting almost 700 jobs at risk
Marks and Spencer has announced plans to shutter two of its distribution centres in spring 2021, putting nearly 700 jobs at risk. The affected sites are the Thorncliffe and Long Eaton distribution centres, which are operated by XPO and DHL respectively, and each employed around 330 staff. It comes amid…
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