M&S news and archive

M&S pledges to support 2,000 young people into work

British retailer Marks & Spencer is celebrating 20 years of Marks & Start, its employability programme in partnership with The Kings Trust, to commit to training and supporting a further 2,000 young people over the next three years. The commitment is part of M&S’ multi-year strategy with The King’s Trust, as new research from the retailer...

BusinessFeatured

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...

Fashion|In Pictures Featured

Bella Freud unveils collaboration with M&S

London-based fashion designer Bella Freud, known for her playful handwritten slogans, has unveiled a collaboration with British retailer Marks and Spencer. The exclusive collection, launching in select M&S stores and online from today, October 17, features her witty take on fashion with a range of jumpers, women’s ready-to-wear and tailoring, as...

Retail

Could Amazon's return-to-office mandate be a boon to physical retailers?

Amazon's recent announcement mandating a return to office for its corporate employees from January 2025 has received mixed reviews from the technology sector. However, the repercussions of this decision may extend far beyond the confines of Silicon Valley, potentially reshaping the broader retail landscape. The e-commerce behemoth's push for...

FashionFeatured

M&S plans to grow market share in kidswear with baby club launch

British high street retailer Marks & Spencer (M&S) is looking to grow its market share in kidswear and attract more family shoppers with the launch of its first-ever baby club. ‘The Parent Hood’ is exclusive to members of M&S’ loyalty programme, Sparks, and is part of M&S’s mission to become “more relevant, more often to family shoppers” by...

Fashion|In Pictures Featured

Marks & Spencer unveils design collaboration with Sienna Miller

British retailer Marks & Spencer has unveiled a summer capsule collection with Sienna Miller, following a successful partnership with the actress in September 2023 when she fronted its autumn womenswear campaign. Launching in 30 stores and online on June 6, the collection aims to “redefine style perceptions and inspire existing and new customers...

People

M&S appoints Alison Dolan as new CFO

Marks and Spencer Group (M&S) has announced the appointment of Alison Dolan as chief financial officer. Dolan, the company said in a statement, will take over from interim CFO Jeremy Townsend who will remain in post as planned until May 2025. Commenting on the new CFO appointment, Stuart Machin, the company’s chief executive officer said: “We...

Business

M&S posts profit growth, clothing & home sales increase 5.3 percent

For the full year, Marks and Spencer Group (M&S) reported profit before tax and adjusting items of 716.4 million pounds and statutory profit before tax of 672.5 million pounds, while group sales improved 9.4 percent to 13.1 billion pounds. UK clothing & home sales were up 5.3 percent during the year under review with adjusted operating profit...

BusinessFeatured

M&S announces 1-million-pound investment for net zero goals

British retailer Marks & Spencer has launched a 1-million-pound Plan A Accelerator Fund to invest in projects to help it achieve its net zero goals by 2040. M&S said it was turning its “market-leading approach to innovation to tackle climate change,” to reduce scope 3 emissions and become a net zero business across all its operations and entire...

Retail

PO.P kidswear brand signs retail partnership with M&S

Kidswear brand PO.P, formally known as Polarn O. Pyret, has announced a retail partnership with Marks & Spencer to launch on its ‘Brands at M&S’ platform from the end of March. The new partnership will see PO.P launching a curated range of childrenswear to M&S' online customers, from its smallest newborn sizes (0-1 month) up to 10 years, as it...

FashionFeatured

M&S launches search for junior fashion designer with TV show

British high street retailer M&S is teaming up with television network ITV to launch a nationwide search to find its next top fashion designer. The six-part series with the working title ‘M&S: Dress The Nation’ will air on ITV1 and ITVX in early autumn, presented by AJ Odudu and Vernon Kay. The show will document the search process of finding...

Retail

LK Bennett launches on M&S.com

British retailer Marks & Spencer has added premium womenswear brand LK Bennett to its roster on its ‘Brands at M&S’ online platform. LK Bennett launches at M&S with its spring/summer 2024 collection, including some of the brand’s bestselling items, from casual daywear to eventwear, such as jumpsuits, dresses, trousers and blazers, as well as...