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Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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

838 replies

FleurDelacoeur · 23/05/2018 08:01

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.
OP posts:
Thread gallery
10
duffeldaisy · 25/05/2018 16:42

I totally agree with the requests for good quality, staple clothes that are well-cut and in a range of sizes and shapes. Coming at this from a taller perspective (but please note M&S, tall doesn't necessarily mean incredibly willowy and size 8).

I have bought underwear from M&S all my life because it used to be such good quality and reliable.

Every so often I accidentally have bought granny knickers that are well over an inch shorter. They are absolutely not 'full briefs' and are an uncomfy size. It's a waste of £8 for a multipack to have such a difference in length. If I wanted standard knickers I wouldn't be looking at granny knickers.

Same with tights - I have a couple of pairs that are longer in the body and they're brilliant. But then I buy another pair that seem the same and they're a couple of inches shorter and so won't go under a waistband and roll down all the time. It seems like cheapness, cutting material costs.

Some of us have feet larger than size 7. You'd make a fortune if you made shoes in 8/9/10 sizes as I'm sure there must be a lot of women tall enough to need them.

Same with tops - again, for taller people, please make plain cotton blouses that are a little longer. I look for anything that just comes below the crotch region so they hide my tummy - and it's nigh on impossible to find anything.

As for food - why is absolutely everything 'butter-rich' or 'creamy'?
There's a bit of gluten free, but snacks for vegans or those with dairy intolerance (up to 5% of the population) are so thin on the ground.

Abra1de · 25/05/2018 17:14

It's interesting that all of the drama is about them not having made as much profit. They have not actually made a loss or anywhere near a loss. How about the people who get the profit accept less profit???

That’s not how investments work.

I held M and S shares for years. Bought them in the late 1980s when M and S sold plenty of clothes I, a young woman, would wear. Two months ago I got fed up and sold the last of my holding.

If they improved or refined their offer everyone would benefit, shareholders and customers.

Confusssed · 25/05/2018 17:46

Sell multi packs of quality cotton knickers that co-ordinate with your t-shirt bras.

Anyone with a DD+ cup size doesn't need any form of padding in their bras. Surely, this is obvious?

Get your staff to work faster on the tills. They. Are. So. Slow.

Finallybreathingout · 25/05/2018 18:13

Ironically on the back of this thread I actually went into M&S for the first time in ages. So, yes, cluttered even though it was huge, random collections of stuff so there was a section of lots of trousers but others spread everywhere, but I ended up buying a really lovely swimsuit that actually makes me like my reflection - a miracle. And I'm usually a 16 but there were none to be seen and I tried on a 14 for size, meaning to order online, but it fitted well. I know full well this is their sizing rather than sudden weight loss on my part but it was still rather nice. I never, ever just buy things like that - I only went in out of curiosity - so it was completely unexpected.

AlfredDaButtler · 25/05/2018 18:34

Anyone with a DD+ cup size doesn't need any form of padding in their bras. Surely, this is obvious? I think actual padding is quite rare in those sizes, from personal experience. Moulding is quite often appreciated though, for those of us who have exhibitionist nipples.

ASongOfRiceAndPeas · 25/05/2018 18:42

They need to start selling the hickory steak pasta and pizza again, I haven't seen either in years. So delicious.

YearOfYouRemember · 25/05/2018 19:44

I was in Bluewater a few weeks ago looking for a cream/Ivory bra in 36GG. There was one in the whole store but it had padding in it. I told the assistant that I didn't need more padding. She said it wasn't about that but about giving a smooth line under clothes. I tried it without much hope. It fitted perfectly and felt the comfiest bra I had in a long time. I didn't feel it made me look bigger.

staydazzling · 25/05/2018 20:19

thats the problem though big boobs loose shape change etc like all others having a good push up bra,balcony , decent plunge is something almost none existant in bigger sizes, i hate the underlying mentality that we want matronly styles that hide them away.

thriftymrs · 25/05/2018 21:35

Please God, stock some waist high navy and black straight or slim leg jeans - I'm in my 50's, carry a few extra pounds and waist highs hold it all in and give me a bit of shape., I don't want super skinny poor quality cotton pretending to be "denim". Whatever happened to proper heavyweight denim? I don't want studs down the side or faded patches on the thigh (super unflattering to anyone with thighs). Underwear is good and M&S is my go-to for pants, tights and bras but please keep an eye on stock and keep a better range of sizes - why can I rarely find a 36D? Good quality fabrics, some lovely soft cotton lawn dresses and shirts (think Liberty /Brora quality but affordably priced - M&S buy fabric in huge quantities so could make these for an affordable price) they would fly off the racks. Nice detailing like pleats, ruches, covered buttons, good sharp tailoring. Stop with the frills and sequins and cut out bits and appliqued nonsense. Good quality cardigans in a range of colours. Some lovely pure silk tops and nightwear. I don't want to lose M&S but they need to produce what their customers actually want to purchase.

I can't figure out the point of the Sparks card. What can I do with the points I've accumulated? I don't think I can swap them for anything so what's the use of them?

Gingernaut · 25/05/2018 22:17

Please God, stock some waist high navy and black straight or slim leg jeans

Fuck yeah!

Mid rise should not be the default!

More high waisted jeans and trousers, please!

IJustHadToNameChange · 25/05/2018 22:19

I can't figure out the point of the Sparks card. What can I do with the points I've accumulated? I don't think I can swap them for anything so what's the use of them?

As far as I can work out, the more points you accumulate, the more 'privileged' you become with more offers, competitions and previews made available to you.
.
.
.
.
I think.
.
.
.
.
Maybe?

Julie21255 · 25/05/2018 22:22

I'm sure the design team, working on women's wear, are moles planted by the likes of Next, Debenhams or John Lewis to sabotage M&S woman's fashion. ........and they're doing a great job.

Accountant222 · 25/05/2018 22:33

I'd love to shop there again but it's dire. Limited collection used to be edgy, autograph was great, it's just cheap man made fabrics and badly fitting clothes. Tried on some 7/8th chinos, baggy as hell around the thighs, far too tight around the calves, I'm normal shape.

LightAsTheBreeze · 25/05/2018 22:51

With the Sparks I get a lot of food offers on stuff I buy so find it quite useful, it only works well though if you regularly shop there, before we had our local M&S, my offers were not relevant at all.

LightAsTheBreeze · 25/05/2018 22:53

You need the points to get the offers, the 20% off this weekend was for people with over 5000 points

woodhill · 26/05/2018 16:25

glom old fart designs -
moleskin, cracking up

Whatisthislifeiffullofcare · 26/05/2018 21:39

The customers
They're the worst enemy of marks and Spencer.
You've finished it off.

I worked there as a mature post grad student. 1991-92.
The woman that brought back a faded by the sunbread bin. I as section manager refused the refund. The manager above me have a refund as goodwill. They can't afford to do that.

You bought a meal in the foodhall. You didn't like it. You demanded a refund and you got it and a voucher for your disappointment. Nothing wrong with it. It just wasn't to your taste - don't buy it again.

You overcooked your chicken. You followed the suggested time. Did you look at it when you were cooking? You got a refund and a voucher your disappointment.

The button came off your trousers. Couldn't you have sewn it on. Refund.I

I bought a dressing gown In 1992. It was £46. How many of you think you should pay that much now?

You want to buy a jumper in natural fibres for £40-50 (somewhere up thread)about to last 10 years. No retailer will survive on somebody buying a jumper every 10 years.

I'm currently (thanks to the grace of a low carb diet)size 12. i was a size 12 in marks and Spencer in 1985 (after my second child).today weigh The same and I am a size 12 but No size 12is the same as another size 12. My boo b s are a 36dd but I bet they're not the same a your 36dd. Humans do not sadly confirm to size. Marks and Spencer can only do their best.
You expect too much.

Am on holiday sorry for typos. Very unsatisfactory typing on a kindle - can I have a refund ????

Loopytiles · 26/05/2018 22:26

Get the automated machines at waterloo station to stop repeatedly asking “have you got your Sparks card?”

No one has them or wants one, they just want the voice to STFU!

The reward scheme is shit. Being in there at 8am paying ££ for food - plastic tub of or pastry breakfast, office sickly “treats”, milk, lunch, stuff for in laws coming for dinner, whatever - is bad enough already without 17 machines blaring about Sparks!

Angry
BrightYellowDaffodil · 26/05/2018 22:54

You expect too much.

Bollocks.

What I expect:

Consistent clothing sizes: if I am a size 10 in one pair of trousers I don't expect another in size 8 to be hanging off me and yet another in a 12 to be too tight to do up. I cannot be a 6 and a 14 in the same store on the same day. I don't care how your sizing compares to other stores but an M&S 10 - or whatever size - should be consistent across all styles.

Clothes I might actually want to buy: I don't want frills, ruffles, sequins, ribbons, 'funky' embroidery, embellished denim (fuck, do M&S think we're all in B*witched?) and a sodding bow. I don't want them at all, but I certainly don't want them on the same item. Per Una: the brand for undiscerning drag queens of a certain age. And what is with the stupid flouncy sleeves? I want GOOD QUALITY BASICS IN GOOD COLOURS AND GOOD FABRICS. Uniqlo manage it, John Lewis manage it, Boden manage it, H&M manage it...why can't you?

Clothes that are designed for an actual human: last time I tried on bras in M&S, one appeared to be designed for those with one tit in each armpit, the other for those who have their norks stacked on on top of the other down their front. I may well be unrepresentative of the average tit owner but mine are roughly equally spaced on the front of me and cups in vaguely the same place would be handy. See also: not everything needs padding in it circa a 90s Wonderbra.

Clothes that look good on an actual human: if it only looks good on a 6ft size 6 model who has been carefully styled and lit, it's not going to do us ordinary mortals any favours. Stop courting the fashion press and chasing inclusion in the coveted 'Must Have Item' columns (after all, if everyone's got it you're going to rock up to a wedding and find four other people in it, aren't you?) and just produce some decent sodding tshirts and pants.

I would also draw your attention at this juncture to your tights. I laddered mine and had to buy some more so popped into M&S for replacements. You had two 'flesh' coloured pairs and I use inverted commas because I can't imagine anyone living actually has skin that colour. One could only be described as American Air Hostess Orange and the other as Recently Deceased Corpse. And they were such poor quality that they rolled down like Nora Batty's tights until the crotch was round my knees and I had to waddle most unbecomingly. Honestly, Tescos tights are a million times better.

To be able to find my size: time and time again I've seen something I quite like only to find that there's only one size 16, a couple of 18s and the rest of the rail is 20+. When I've asked staff for a 10 they say they've sold out. When I ask why they don't stock more of them, they say that's what they're sent by head office. Of course, stock all sizes but if you sell proportionately more 8-14s, STOCK MORE OF THEM.

Clothes that are decent quality: you know, stuff that holds its shape and isn't made of horrible man-made fabrics. Maybe even splash out and use a bit more fabric so that every top isn't too short - if I'm 5'2 and find your tops too short, how on earth do normal sized people cope?

And finally, decent stores: if I see something online I like I don't want to have to wander your shops like a lost sheep to find it. I don't want to have to try it on in grotty changing rooms. If I've bought it online I don't want to wait for half an hour in a queue to collect my order. And I certainly I don't want to find that the small sizes are right at the top of the racks (tip: people who are small probably aren't that tall) so I have to go and find someone taller to get it down for me.

It's not rocket science, it just takes a bit of thought. And it's precisely bugger all to do with the refund on a bath robe in 1992.

ISayOldChap · 27/05/2018 07:56

I really like the jersey PJs and vests. I also think the swimwear range is fantastic as is quite a lot of the holiday basics stuff. It's not all bad. I'm still happy with the bras.

LIZS · 27/05/2018 08:15

There are fundamental things to address. Observations from a visit to our local one yesterday:

They had seriously over-ordered on commemorative Cambridge Baby tins of biscuits - they were dotted throughout the food hall and discounted to half price. Baby is a month old!

It was easier to spot clothing items which may not be reduced to clear in a few weeks time - bright yellow or flowery 4 inch stilettos anyone! M and S customers tend to want staple items which can be worn on different occasions not one off expensive statement pieces.

Too many colour/pattern options which look like they came from 80s , the early days of colour coordination - chinos, tshirts etc.

I fear our branch will feature among the closures eventually as most of the time there are more staff than customers. Except on sale days when it turns into a jumble sale.

fenneltea · 27/05/2018 09:07

I also worked in Marks and Spencers in the mid to late eighties and early nineties; it is nonsense to say that hte customers expected too much; yes, some took the proverbial, but the majority were reasonable about returns (I worked in customer services) and the good quality and reputation were what made the products worth buying.

Once they decided to opt for cheap and lower quality and dubious styling it has been a race to the bottom I'm afraid, nothing to do with the customers being too demanding, they must be shopping elsewhere where they are happy.

callmemaybe8 · 27/05/2018 09:54

I would love it if M&S did a beauty box subscription. I love their advent calendars so it would be great if they did a monthly thing

LIZS · 27/05/2018 10:14

And agree Sparks card is pointless. I only ever seem to get food "offers" when I rarely buy more than the occasional item in the food section. Costs more to park than I would "save".

Basta · 27/05/2018 10:34

Anyone with a DD+ cup size doesn't need any form of padding in their bras. Surely, this is obvious?

Perhaps if you're a 38DD, but I'm a 30E/F and still like some light padding (for shape, volume and nipple coverage) thank you very much.