to think we can come up with good ideas to save M&S

[FleurDelacoeur]

M&S definitely on the skids. Profits down, stores closing, Chief Exec saying radical transformation required. Fairly clear that this has happened because they're not listening to their core market, which I'd wager has a fairly large crossover with the MN demographic. So Steve Rowe, if you're listening, here are a few bullet points.

1. Scrap the Sparks card.
2. Sack your womenswear design team. All of them. Now.
3. Ditch the Per Una brand.
4. Rethink your over generous returns policy.

Kids clothes are awful as well

What 16 year old want dungarees?

Why have pink leggings but no matching tops? It's hard work!!

Uniforms all year round as well please

And will shop assistants stop offering to 'order' things in when the shop next door is actually selling the items you left home to buy!

SuburbanCrofter
So glad you like my idea. I suggested the Percy Pig leather tags for bags to M&S both by email (no reply) and on their FB page (dismissive reply, but they'd pass it on)>
It hasn't been taken up but I so wish they would.

I also agree with the poster who said that the whole store needs signposting. Found this in Camberley after they revamped, thought it was just me, went to visit friends in Torquay, popped in and had to ASK where the blummin tills were. Hidden, completely hidden.

Mind you some JL are as bad.

^ALL OF THE ABOVE^

Pet peeves are Sparks card, dire women's fashion, lack of basics / classics, having to travel through the shop floor to look for one particular thing (such as a skirt, black trousers etc) and these [[http://www.marksandspencer.com/woven-pumps/p/p60139411?extid=ps_gglpla_Women_1343583060_54232712139&s_kwcid=AL!2750!3!262200302634!!!g!310172983584!EFKW&device=m&cvosrc=ppc%20shopping.google.Women%20>%20Shoes%20&%20Boots%20>%20All%20Shoes%20>%20Pumps&cvopid=54232712139servedby.flashtalking.com/click/1/37735;928990;369310;252;0/?ft_section=60155954005&ft_keyword=googleshopping&url=www.marksandspencer.com/woven-pumps/p/p60139411?extid=ps_gglpla_Women_1343583060_54232712139&s_kwcid=AL!2750!3!262200302634!!!g!310172983584!EFKW&device=m&cvosrc=ppc%20shopping.google.Women%20>%20Shoes%20%26%20Boots%20>%20All%20Shoes%20>%20Pumps&cvopid=54232712139&gclid=CIHvnbiRnNsCFQywGwod4-QC4g&gclsrc=ds&pdpredirect
plastic monstrosities]]. In leather, they would be sublime, and fly off the shelves. If I want plastic, I'll pay £6 and go to Primark.

Hillingdon that is hilarious! I used to work fir M&S (in a really dodgy area) but as staff there were standards and the supervisor was incredibly strict.

Any transgression would get you a really horrible job from her little black book. No way would staff have been able to hang about looking bored and uninterested!

Zizi I would buy those pumps if they were leather, but not plastic. The design is actually spot on, basic and fairly classic.

Good quality basics in a broad range of cuts and sizes so everyone can find something flattering. My last jeans were a fail as "short" was apparently at 29 inches not the previous 27 inch. I'm 5ft 2 with a 26 inch leg. If my legs were 3 inches longer, I'd be 5ft 5 and average not short .

Cut to real body shapes. I can't buy tops there as the size 8 is either gigantuan or is cut for weird pipecleaner type arms that don't move from the shoulder.

In my mid-30s, I'm not expecting it to be a fashionable choice, but even my DGM has largely given up as she rarely finds anything that isn't too frumpy. She's in her 80s! (I'm expecting her small store to go in the forthcoming closures)

I've tended to buy underwear there but am due for a restock. I can't get matching underwear as I'm a "32B" and therefore couldn't possibly want size 8 pants substantial enough to tuck a mum tum in. Again, overlap styles of bra/ pants in a full range of sizes (can't get less than 32 back) with a range of styles to mix and match. Nightwear that is pleasant, decent and grown-up.

DH goes in for much of his wardrobe. He's a basics kind of guy.

I buy generic uniform and underwear for the DCs. The slim fit, extendable hems and internal buttons are good features and other than the inevitable staining of white polo shirts, it all washes very well.

I'm convinced that kid's style internal buttons would be an excellent addition to womens clothing to adapt to the variety of women's builds

Clear broad aisles so you can walk in a straight line to find the department you want.

If it was the place you got your layering items, it would sell those layering items to a wide age range, regardless of the vast difference of the types of clothes those items were layered with.

M&S is trying so hard to be the place you go to get the fashionable or interesting item you make the "star" of your outfit, they aren't providing the quality layers to go with it.

Men's clothes are OK I think - DH gets some nice knitted polos from there, and generally their knit-wear is good. It's women's wear which lets it down I think. I have always found the service good though, and the staff very nice when I go in. I really liked their ethical stance too on bags, manufacturing and fabrics.
Very sad to see the Covent Garden branch go though :(

Too much stuff choice.
Knickers now poor quality - holes in them within a couple of months.

I agree that the men's smart range isn't so bad. That's because they've stuck to what they're good at - simple, classic suits, shirts and ties in a range of colours and patterns. DH has M&S suits for work and wears pretty much exclusively their shirts which wash well and are smart.

But then of course there perhaps isn't the temptation to stick frills, brass buttons and embroidery on menswear.

DH buys the mens rugby shirts and collared T shirts also the chinos, we also both buy the socks, me mainly because they do them in the 2 sizes rather than one size fits all

Stop selling so many styles of bras ONLY in two-packs with a different colour. E.g. black and white. I only wear black - give me the option to have 2 black ones!

• Stop making ugly clothes
• Start using fabrics that don't give static shocks/spark
• Keep a selection of sizes on the shelf
• Get someone who isn't colour blind to choose fabric colours
• Big patterns and weird 'edgy' cuts really dont work
• Up the quality of your clothes!

I think M&S should be more like a department store & stock other brands clothes.
Keep a fabulous range of their own basics, undies, kids wear etc.
Focus on the food Halls (lots of organic, less packaging)
Think more John Lewis less BHS

A few years ago M&S, as part of a publicity thing, invited the WI in to comment, as they were really their target audience.

The WI all said, make T shirts longer so we don't flash our spare tyre when we lift up our hands.
Make T shirt sleeves as proper sleeves so it hides our bingo wings.

That year they did just that, and their T shirts were fab.
Next year back to too short and cap sleeves.

Why????

Create an affordable range with The Fold

if only.....no way Fold would dilute their brand 🙁

Sack everyone. Headhunt some staff from Boden. That's it.

And marks folding pains me but they only have themselves to blame. 3/4 years ago kids clothes were amazing and very reasonable. Now they are the same as next naff and expensive.

Fold stuff is absolutely lovely, but I promise you that’s what Autograph used to be like in the early 00’s.

Another thing - M&S do really good perfumes and fragrances. I love the Island Escape one and some of the others are lovely too. And excellent value.

But again these aren't really promoted and they're like an inside secret which they shouldn't be.

"Sack everyone. Headhunt some staff from Boden"

And then sack them too, and get some designers in who want to make sensible clothes for sensible grown-ups.

I don't want to dress like a toddler any more than I want to look like an extra from Abigail's Party.

@TSSDNCOP you speak the truth. I got some lovely stuff from Autograph back then.

I also got some lovely 'Made in Britain' (?) things a few years ago, blue and white lace ups. Excellent quality.

I would happily spend a bit more on good quality stuff.

These are my favourite brands (in case they are reading) Boden classics for work, but not prints, also Hobbs for work stuff, Russell and Bromley for shoes (intercut with Clarks!) Saltwater/Fat Face for jersey stuff for weekends.

They also need to keeps decent range of stock in a range of sizes. My mother has to travel quite far to get to her closest M&S and frequently complains that she's found an item she likes but that wasn't available in her size (12/14).

She doesn't want to be told she can order it online, otherwise she would have stayed at home. The staff keep saying that those sizes sell out first. So get some more in then! Surely it's not beyond the wit of their buying department to set ups decent stock control system!

M&S tries to be something it's not. I cringe at some of their clothes- trying to cater for younger women when their average customer is over 50-60. Know your market!

They also need to improve their bras. The sizes are all over the place.