To think that the decline of M&S began with the introduction of Per Una range...

[Blowin]

I mean it all just went so downhill from then on....imo.

[Mynewmoniker]

I remember years ago me and mum looking at their sales and realising they must have brought special 'rubbish' in and put it in the sale.

We couldn't find much at all we'd seen before.

[namechangea]

Sparkling... but it's all eco friendly

[BramblyHedge]

HoHoHo , my MIL likes buying me per una and I once had an elderly lady tell me she had my top as well and wasn't it lovely. Sadly it went in moth holes soon after so went in the bin.

[Dereksmalls]

The Edinburgh one makes me what to scream. Getting to the kids dept with a buggy was so difficult so I never went in when the DCs were tiny. I completely agree about the weird colours. Tried to buy some basic tops in there, got shorter and wider after one wash (doesn't happen to the ones I've bought in Sainsburys) - never again.

[Sparklingbrook]

Oh name and has the all important Pasta Bar. I came out with a bag of wine gums, it was all too much.

[PenelopePortrait]

The colours in all the ranges are never the right shade, there is something just not quite right. Why isn't the navy blue cardigan navy? What is that weird colour?

Per Una - pass me my sunglasses. Ruffles check, satin trim check, embroidery check, uneven hem/edging check, random pattern added result.

The layout - agree with above posters, I often go in with the best intentions having seen something advertised but can I find said item in the store. No. Usually just give up, it's too much like hard work.

Pity they don't set the clothes out like they do the food.

[Sparklingbrook]

Let's not forget their bonkers school uniform availability in stores strategy.

[Sparklingbrook]

Plus their cafe can't do a bacon roll without butter.

[nancy75]

Their school uniform is dire, I got non iron summer dresses in their last year, after 1 day dd looked like she had been to bed wearing it for a month, in contrast the sainsburys dress that is only a fiver never needs to be ironed.

[SucksToBeMe]

Nancy, that summery made me

[TSSDNCOP]

The layout is horrendous. The Bluewater store is obviously big, and the vast women's wear floor has no clear pattern.

Per Una is front and centre across the main entrance and the range is just too hideous. It used to be that Autograph and Limited were at the front, but since their designs have tanked they've been marginalised.

The boys range is utterly revolting. Please send your designers on an undercover mission to John Lewis, Gap and even Next for inspiration. Better still ask some mothers of boys for input.

But whoever is designing and visual merchandising menswear is onto a winner.

The home furnishings is desperately cramped, but the range is lovely.

Likewise the food hall is stupidly cramped and makes me feel horribly claustrophobic.

Oddly, it's more pleasant to visit a smaller store eg Bromley, Gravesend or Maidstone than the flag stores at Bluewater and Lakeside.

[TSSDNCOP]

Penelope completely agree re the colour navy.

Why is it a horrid indigo?????

[JeremyPiven]

Racks and racks of black polyester trousers which all look the same. 25 pairs in a size 8, 25 pairs in a size 18, none in a 12.
Why do they need to have every single item of stock on the floor at the same time?

I bought a pair, wore once, hem came down. Took back, exchanged, wore once, hem came down.

[Sparklingbrook]

Unfunny boy's T shirt Available in sizes 5 yrs-14 yrs. Why would a 14 year old want the same t shirt as a 5 year old.

[nancy75]

They must be reading thing thread, I just got a sale start tomorrow email!

[Blowin]

Yes I agree that the colours all all just not quite right somehow.

Navy not quite navy, aquamarine that looks too green, pink that is too loud, and their reds are always a horrible orangey shade as opposed to a nice deep rich colour.

[SlumberingDormouse]

I'm mid 20s and would buy basics at M&S - especially work clothes - if they were good quality, but they're not. They look and feel cheap but aren't.

[snice]

honestly you young gals are missing some lovely stuff if you don't browse the rails in Per Una

[SlumberingDormouse]

Haha, I can truly say I have!

[nancy75]

Snice, if that skirt had some sequins a few ruffles and maybe a buckle detail then it would be the one for me! ( maybe I could get a job on the design team)

[Pandemoniaa]

When it was very first introduced, Per Una wasn't quite the horror that it is today. I think this went to their heads at M&S and someone, somewhere decided that the modest success of the range must mean that customers would now like an extreme version of it. All in crinkly fabric.

Also, why must M&S do that Orphaned Thing where they hide a couple of rails of skirts (say) where you least expect them given how far away they are from the rest of their brethren?

[RocksThatIGot]

I clicked on that skirt link. Jesus titty fucking Christ! My eyes!

[trixymalixy]

I have a lovely pair of Per Una shoes from the very first collection. I've recoiled in horror at every item since then.

[Finola1step]

Have also just clicked on the skirt link. What the frig have they done. I had to scroll through all the images to make sure I was seeing what I thought I was. And the poor model, you can tell she thinks she's wearing shite.

It's such a shame though. If they just stuck to what they do well. At this rate, M and S will just be selling food because it appears to be the only section that is doing well.

[Finola1step]

Am off to look for more horrors on their website.