The sad decline of M&S……

[GladysGeorgina]

I used to work for M&S in the late 80s and early 90s whilst at sixth form and then uni. I loved that job! I was treated well and paid well for my age. The store was always bustling and we would constantly be moving displays around to try to fit all the stock in. Customer service was top priority. I felt quite proud to work for the company and even didn’t mind wearing the truly dreadful uniforms of the time. I feel sad at watching the decline of M&S on the high street. Our local branch looks more sparse every time I go in. Hardly any staff. No identity. I need new work trousers so popped in at 4pm today. I’m in between sizes so chose 5 pairs of trousers and picked up two sizes for each pair. I was confused because both fitting rooms were closed so I asked an assistant. She was quite snotty and told me the fitting rooms close at 4pm each day due to not enough staff on the rota at that time of day. It’s Saturday and the store didn’t close until 6pm ffs. Apparently it’s ok because I can buy all the trousers and try them on at home. No thanks! I don’t want to pay £400 for 10 pairs of trousers and then lug them home, only to have to bring 9 pairs back for a refund. Don’t know why I’m writing this really. Probably because I was irritated and a bit sad too…….and I still don’t have any new work trousers!

We’ve a home right by the big Newcastle branch, and despite it being one of their better ones they just don’t cater for slim women. They’ve loads of stock for the more corpulent lady, but if you have a normal BMI you invariably have to order and go back to collect it.

It’s a thing. There are a fair few trans males who boast on Twitter of doing this. It’s seemingly part of their fetish.

@TheRubyRedshoes In all the marketing emails (which are basicalIy mini versions of the sparks mag) I get from them announcing new food products/ranges/seasonal etc it definitely tells you if the item is only available in store and it signposts you to your nearest store with a "Find in store" postcode checker.

The issue as you so rightly pointed out, is that there is no way of knowing whether they have said items in stock in the actual brick & mortar shop.

It's very much a lucky dip whether they have them in each individual store and that needs to change. Stock needs to be consistent (obviously within space constraints) in every shop and at the moment, it very much isn't!

We have the light up biscuit tins in our M&S as well as the Very Merry Munch tins which were like gold dust last year, sold out very early (subsequently selling for crazy prices on Ebay) 🙄and then were only available in one of their pricier Christmas Hampers.

They were my favourite Christmas product last year so I was delighted to see they had brought them back - so moreish!

They are also doing grab bags of the same thing called The Very Merry Mix up and we have them in stock in our store too.

I got 2 tins and a couple of bags whilst I saw them as with their mish mash stocking issue I wasn't sure if I would actually see them again! At least it kicked off my Christmas shopping early 😀

This my bugbear too. I’ve often seen things that I’d like to try but they are either out of stock or the length is wrong for me and they never come back into stock. I also think the shop floor staff are unbelievably unhelpful, which is difficult when the shop has different styles grouped together. They have no ability to direct someone to another item that might work instead. They just don’t care really. Their basics used to be good but they drop things that have worked well and can be updated with minimum effort. I really dislike a lot of the styling/collars/frills/buttons etc. Having said that, I agree the footwear is better and I have found a few things I like but I send back more than I keep.

For us it was when they started segments for each label they bought in.it wasn’t m&s clothes but all the per Una etc.and each section had their own tops,trousers and items.you can my just go in wanting your long sleeve top you have to look through every labels options and move on.

I look back on our shopping trips when we were younger and make me stupidly emotional.it was a day out! All the department stores the assistants everywhere in their uniforms.so much stock.and then lunch in one of the cafes.or when gran babysat we would get the bus “to town”
I’m probably doing the adult thing,where I remember a very different childhood and I actually was a moody shit being dragged around but still ha.

Funny you should say that because I've spent more in M&S this year than ever before.

I grew up with them and have been frustrated over the years at their weird clothes buying decisions.

I'm not generally an M&S shape, things never seem to fit. Last week I was browsing for autumn clothes and found reasonable quality cords in multiple colours, and in three different lengths. I'm tall and finding trousers that are long enough is a protracted process. These had a 33" inside leg so I ordered the aubergine ones, not expecting much. They're so good, I've ordered the navy. They are half the price of my normal source.

Last year I had a mastectomy. Now M&S is the only easy regular supplier of suitable bras. As far as I am concerned , they seem to be going through a purple patch.

Me too in knickers

I think their clothes range has got better lately.
In terms of their stores well they can't compete with online shopping. No one can. The town centres will change in the future.

The Cafe is pensioner heavy- literally pensioners everywhere

@Luxurysleuth007 Why is this an issue? It seems you think pensioners should not be out and about and should not be seen, lest they spoil the look of a place for you.

Very ageist. Remember that you'll grow older too.

I used to be M&S head to toe, but went to a branch in EDI a few years ago with a purse full of money ….but they had nothing for me. All short length tops in pastel colours, and no tunic style tops or nice trousers. Came out with a belt and jumper for sis for Christmas. Tried once more but much the same so haven’t bothered since. I know styles change but there was nothing for a fuller figure that was flattering or long line any more. Moved on.

I maybe the only M and S fan left! As others have said, store quality is very variable. Went into marble arch flagship recently and it was very ho hum, nothing different, or a wider range than usual, it felt unloved. I know they want to rebuild it but still. My local store in a small city is much better. Enough to show you everything so you could order online if your size is unavailable, grouped by type e.g trousers are here, tops are there. M and S still forms backbone of my wardrobe - i live in their wide leg jersey trews, jeans and jeggings. They have good bed linen too.

I travel to our out of town one too. I don’t buy in our smaller more local branch one but the out of town one is fantastic. Every time I visit I spend a fortune, great choice, nice clothes, lovely home ware, nice shoes and boots and nice food.

i never try clothes on, I CBA and can generally tell my looking which of two sizes would be better.

like a pp, I did have a poor experience of an on line order, I was furious. Ordered some sandals, they arrived in the green M&S bag with no other packaging, no tags and the straps were all indented where they had been worn. It looked like someone had taken them out of their wardrobe and flung them in a green bag.

i rang them and they refunded me but it was dreadful quality control.

I know. The member of staff trotted out 'Larger sizes are available online' to me when I was looking so I walked out.

@KermitlovesKeyLimePie

Yes but I cant browse the food website.

So I want a normal bday cake for DC, not an order one.
I can see what cake's all other supermarkets have but not m and s .

I've tried to look at their Xmas biscuits tins on the website, nothing. I can't find them!

Omg does that happen? That's gross.

I gave up on Debenhams because of all the labels. I just wanted a white shirt for work say. Well give up a morning hunting then

Yes! I think its great that the cafe is so used!

But hopefully when they are sent back someone disposes of them and refuses a refund? Not package them up and send them to another customer?

I can’t agree, sorry. I buy more in M&S now than I ever have, and I’ve always been a good customer!

Things I’ve bought just in the last two months:

school trousers and shirts for both Dc (I’ve only ever bought these in M&S and my eldest is 14yo)

swimming costumes for the DC

beach towels

dinner plates (they’ve stocked my dinner service for about 10 years and sell single items, it is perfect. Maxim in porcelain)

sandals for myself in the sale

pants (flexifit high legs) and bras

two casual tiered dresses for myself - never had a tiered dress that fits before

Gym top

pyjamas for the DC

pants for DH

perfume to take on holiday

liquid hand soap - far better quality than I could buy in a supermarket for the same price

room diffusers

lots of food and flowers

And I’ve been 100% happy with the quality of all of this. Massive variety. I don’t think I could say the same for any other store (though I also have a soft spot for John Lewis, by nearest one is 45 minutes’ away and the M&S is on my doorstep).

I bought lots of clothes for myself from there last autumn/winter and couldn’t have been happier. Granted, I did take lots back, but I had lots of wear out of what I kept.

I'm so tired of trying to support my local M&S to be told to order the size I want online as it's not in stock; I used to find that happened a lot with their baby things. I did get excellent customer service from a woman that spent ages trying to find me a suitable blazer for a job interview because that branch hardly stocked any compared to the city branch.

This is why I stopped buying from them. The blatant disregard for women's comfort and safety by allowing men into the women's changing room.

Another reason (as if that one wasnt enough) was them refusing to publish a review I did for a set of opaque tights described as 'navy mix'. I pointed out the misleading description bearing in mind the tights were one pair each of brown, black and navy. That apparently went against their guidelines, whilst reviews written by men describing the sexual kicks they get from trying on women's underwear in women's changing rooms stay on the site.

I like them especially the out of town retail stores and although our city centre store is a little frayed around the edges, it's one of the few places left where I can pick up clothing staples on my lunch break.
I really like the kids clothes, the food hall and their perfumes although they've recently discontinued a range of perfumes that I absolutely loved.

I can't see any reviews like that?

Imagine changing the word 'pensioner' for any other protected characteristic and youll see how bigoted that sounds.

Our local one is closing, but the one at Meadowhall is excellent. I think they have upped their game.

I prefer to go shopping for clothes and footwear rather than buy online, and the number of shops I can buy from is getting smaller and smaller.

There must be a lot of people who are a standard shape and size or who just wear ill fitting clothes and shoes because online shopping doesn't work for me.