M&S has stopped stocking suits across more than half of its 245 larger-format stores as the retailer responds to the rise in demand for more casual clothing.
Marks & Spencer now stocks suits in 110 of its 245 larger-format stores, which director of menswear Wes Taylor said was a response to “customers’ rapidly changing needs.”
In the year to the end of April, M&S said sales of formal wear dropped 15% online and 72% in stores year on year, while demand for casualwear rose by 61% online.
M&S said it will continue to sell a large range of suits online and offer click and collect from 700 locations, and the vast majority of its clothing stores will continue to sell shirts and ties.
But the retailer’s decision to cut back on its range of suits in stores comes against a larger decline in demand.
According to research from Kantar, British shoppers bought 2 million men’s suits over the past year, compared with 4.3 million five years ago and 5 million a decade ago.
“Covid hit fast forward on the trend to more casual dressing that was already in train, so our smartwear is now more focused on smart separates — easy-to-wear, stylish smart clothing that can be worn in lots of different ways,” said Taylor.
“However, we still want to be the go-to for a great suit whatever the occasion. Lots of men want help buying a suit from an expert so during the pandemic we also launched online video consultations.”
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