All Marks & Spencer articles
Marks & Spencer is one of the most revered names in UK retail. Michael Marks and Tom Spencer opened the retailer’s first store, a Penny Bazaar, in Leeds back in 1894. It made its reputation in the early 20th century by selling only British-made products, selling clothing and food under the St Michael brand. In the 1970s and 1980s, M&S pushed into international markets including the US, Canada and France. The retailer has focused on becoming more digital, shelling out £750m to snap up a 50% stake in Ocado Retail in February 2019 - a deal that allowed it to sell food online for the first time.
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Opinion
‘The UK is famous for online grocery but where else could retail find talent to export?’
With a shift in consumer needs on the horizon, world-class innovation can play a key part in retailers’ success, argues Lisa Byfield-Green
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News
Former M&S, Boots and Starbucks executive joins Costa Coffee
Former Marks & Spencer, Boots and Starbucks executive Rhys Iley has joined Costa Coffee to head up the food-to-go brand’s retail and operations team.
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Analysis
What to look out for in Ocado’s interim results amid its dispute with M&S
Ocado Group will hope to settle investor jitters when it publishes half-year results on Tuesday, pointing to a strong start to the year and economic green shoots – but all eyes will be on the performance of its Retail arm and the ongoing dispute with M&S
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News
Marks & Spencer kicks off c-store renewal programme with Liverpool Street overhaul
Marks & Spencer is to refresh a swath of convenience stores and open more in pursuit of growth in that market.
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Analysis
Retail 100: Which industry bosses are predicted to make major waves in 2025?
Last month, Retail Week published its annual Retail 100 list, the 19th celebration of the UK’s most influential leaders, which included its annual Ones to Watch forecast. The leaders of Rituals and Dr Martens were among the 14 people tipped to make the list next year
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Analysis
Retail cabinet: What would government look like if retailers ran the country?
As the country casts its votes in the general election, Retail Week imagines what a cabinet made up of bold and capable retail leaders might look like
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News
Marks & Spencer raids Aldi to find new chief commercial officer
Marks & Spencer has poached a top Aldi director to become chief commercial officer of its food division.
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News
Marks & Spencer to invest £38m in new city centre flagship stores
Marks & Spencer has unveiled a suite of flagship store openings in city centres as part of its store renewal and rotation programme.
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Retail Navigator Analysis
Marks & Spencer (Strategy)
M&S unveils ‘Another life’, bringing together all the retailer’s circularity services in one place. It announced a new partnership with repairs and alterations specialist Sojo through its Plan A accelerator fund, with customers able to access repairs services via an online platform.
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Opinion
‘As Morrisons marks 125 years in business, how many newer retailers will enjoy similar lifespans?’
Retail thrives on the new but the businesses that last longest are founded on principles that never lose their relevance, observes George MacDonald.
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News
Marks & Spencer launches clothing repair service
Marks & Spencer has launched a clothing repair service as it seeks to encourage a circular economy by reducing textile waste.
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News
Marks & Spencer appoints Ikea exec to senior stores role
Marks & Spencer has drafted an Ikea executive as a stores director.
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News
Marks & Spencer freezes school uniform prices as cost-of-living crisis persists
Marks & Spencer is to hold down the price of school uniforms as the back-to-school period nears.
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News
M&S boss pay jumps as profits soar
Marks & Spencer CEO Stuart Machin’s pay is set to rise after the turnaround he’s led has pushed the retailer into its strongest financial position in decades.
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News
White Stuff opens more stores in Marks & Spencer
Fashion retailer White Stuff has announced an expansion of its existing brand partnership with Marks & Spencer.
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Analysis
From AI to M&A – what retailers are spending their money on
The ring of the tills might be what drives retail, but to keep customers spending retailers need to invest in improvements. Retail Week looks at where some of the biggest – and most successful – retailers are directing their spend
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News
M&S should have already overtaken Waitrose, says CEO
Marks & Spencer chief executive Stuart Machin says the retailer should have already “overtaken” Waitrose in the wake of its latest financial results.
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Gallery
Marks & Spencer ‘amps up’ sustainability appeal in store
Marks & Spencer has opened its first full-line store of the new financial year, within which it has adopted a new way of communicating its Plan A sustainability programme to shoppers.
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News
Marks & Spencer names new chief financial officer
Marks & Spencer has appointed a new chief financial officer whose experience includes transformation
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News
Marks & Spencer to invest £30m in new and revamped stores
Marks & Spencer is to invest £30m in modernising existing stores and opening new ones.