Marks & Spencer news and archive

Marks & Spencer zones in on menswear with dedicated social media channel

British department store Marks & Spencer is hoping to further tap into the menswear market through the launch of an Instagram channel dedicated to the category. According to a Kantar study cited by the retailer, it already holds a 10.4 percent market share, and is thus “doubling down on its ambition to broaden customer appeal” by targeting new...

Featured

Fashion

M&S launches resale on Ebay and extends recycling scheme

British retailer Marks & Spencer has launched a dedicated resale store on marketplace platform Ebay, which will allow shoppers to trade in and buy back pre-loved M&S clothing, footwear and accessories, as demand for pre-loved fashion continues to soar. The launch is the latest initiative under Another Life, which is how M&S activates its Plan A...

People

Marks & Spencer names new chief people officer

British department store Marks & Spencer has named Hayley Tatum as its new chief people officer. She joins the retailer from Asda, where she spent over 14 years in the same role, nine of which in combination with the title chief corporate affairs officer. Her appointment was confirmed by Marks & Spencer CEO, Stuart Machin, who, in a post on...

Retail

Marks & Spencer relaunches click and collect

Months after encountering a major cyberattack, British department store Marks & Spencer has relaunched its click and collect service. The retailer made the announcement on its social media platforms, where it stated that customers were now once again able to make orders online for collection in stores across the UK, as well as return online...

Culture

Marks & Spencer to host second season of ‘Dress The Nation’

British department store Marks & Spencer has said it is bringing its TV show, ‘M&S: Dress The Nation’, back for a second season, this time round with a focus on womenswear and menswear. Hosted by AJ Odudu and Vernon Kay, the debut edition of the ITV1 and ITVX series was said to have been watched by eight million viewers last year, underlining...

Retail

Marks & Spencer launches one-year guarantee on kidswear

British department store Marks & Spencer has introduced a one-year quality guarantee on its kids clothing line as part of its ongoing Plan A sustainability strategy. Through the agreement, customers of Marks & Spencer will be able to apply for a full refund within 365 days of purchase if a product does not meet the retailer’s standards. With...

Fashion

Watchdog bans Marks & Spencer ad over ‘unheathily’ thin model

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) in the UK has banned an advertisement by Marks & Spencer for featuring an “unhealthily thin” model. Four complainants raised issues with four ads featured across the retailer’s website, app and an email, questioning whether they were “socially irresponsible”. The imagery addressed, seen in April and May...

Retail

Marks & Spencer relaunches Sparks loyalty programme following cyber incident

Marks & Spencer has relaunched its online Sparks loyalty scheme weeks after the programme was put on pause due to a cyber security incident. The department store chain was left picking up the pieces after hackers accessed the back end of its online operations and stole customer data. In the wake of the attack, which took place in April, the...

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Business

UK government introduces new trade measures for developing countries

The UK government has introduced new measures that intend to simplify imports from developing countries. The changes come under the Developing Countries Trading Scheme and, according to a press release, aim to “lower prices on everyday goods while supporting growth in some of the world’s poorest nations”. The measures particularly address...

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Business

Marks & Spencer enters Australia through David Jones partnership

British retailer Marks & Spencer has debuted in Australia via a new partnership with local department store David Jones. The exclusive deal will initially see Marks & Spencer’s core lingerie and sleepwear range, including T-shirt bras, lace styles, shapewear and thermals, introduced to David Jones stores and its online website from July 14. The...

Retail

Marks & Spencer warns of store closures as Chancellor eyes property tax increases

British retail giant Marks & Spencer has said that it could be forced to close a number of its stores if UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves increases tax on large properties. The department store chain is said to be leading a wider group of retailers, including Tesco, Primark and Asda, in opposing Reeves’ plan to increase property tax in her next...

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Business

Four youths arrested for cyberattacks on British retailers

The UK's National Crime Agency (NCA) has arrested four suspects in connection with cyberattacks on well-known British retailers Marks & Spencer (M&S), Co-op and Harrods. The attacks took place in April of this year and caused significant financial disruption to the businesses. The four suspects remain in custody and are being questioned by the...