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.

WhiteDust that selection for 'curves' is reminiscent of stuff you'd see in Evens in the 90s. Layers and layers of excess fabric. That shirt! Short, triangular and flappy is flattering how exactly??! Adds pounds.

My 81 year old mother believes anyone over a size 16 should basically just wear long empire line tent like garments. All the time. Just like this stuff.

Make the Sparks card points usable at garages with an M&S for the special offers.
Focus on quality, classic designs with natural fabrics.
Forget polyester easy wear granny clothes.
Make a wider range of curries - they taste nice but there are more than just kormas and tikka masalas.
Find your USP and stick to it.

Rockmysocks
Where is your closest M&S with the very unhelpful assistants?
I have to say I've always found the staff really helpful.
Except for one manager, once, and it was a tough time for me and I cried. Another manager dealt with the problem so kindly that I wrote to M&S HQ to commend her.

My DH buys many of his clothes from M&S but they are so often out of his size in the shops that even he is fed up with them. He wanted a woolly hat to keep his bald head warm recently - the nearest thing to it M&S had was over £20! I got one from under £5 elsewhere.

Cut the frills and silly colours. Go back to smart wearable basics. You were once my go to for wearable simple jumpers, jeans, t shirts and dresses... now you're my last choice

oh and please sort out your shoes. A few basic designs will do. and tidy it up it's a mess. Stop trying to be all things to all people

"Bras I gave up on as I really don't need padding"

Bras are something I do buy from them. As a meagre 32B I need all the help I can get to not look like a boy
For me the choice of styles is excellent, but I agree that they have got it competely wrong with their measuring "service", and therefore don't stock enough of the correct sizes.

I was in the ladies clothing section of the High Street Kensington branch recently, and the lighting was really dim. I'm sure this is all to do with energy saving bulbs etc, but it really doesn't show the stock off to its best effect.

My problem is m&s prices but primary quality. I have M and. Items from twenty years ago that still look good. Things purchased from there just a year ago are tatty and worn.
Everyone seems to be saying the same thing:
Food is fine
Beauty is fine
Go back to good quality basics
Stock all sizes.

But for some reason they don’t listen.

Primark not primary!

Can't fault the staff at our flagship store. Just the clothes!!!

I agree with lots of others. Get rid of per Una. We want nice, well designed, stuff which is cut to fit actual women flatteringly and which lasts and will pay more for it.

Not the per una trousers, they actually fit me.

I’ll add my usual grumble about the Sparks card. Get an email saying “activate your Sparks offers” then have to log in, find out what they are and then activate them. Sod that for a lark! What’s wrong with a simple points card?

Agree about the poor stock control.

And as opposed to the snarky poster upthread, I think it’s quite relevant that this thread is seven months old, with over 800 posts, and rather than posters coming on to say “oh M & S must have picked up on this thread because such and such has improved” the complaints are still the same.

Why don’t MNHQ ask M & S if they want to have one of the sponsored threads on here so people can post their feedback? I am getting a bit tired of the news every few months that M & S profits are down and would really think they should get what they deserve, but our local High Street is struggling and it would be a further blow if M & S goes as well.

Husband just arrived back with my Christmas food. Sell by dates so short. Most use by 26th and some for today. Even the pre-ordered stuff has short dates.

I do think that when you are paying premium price you can expect decent sell by dates.

Also shelves not fully stocked - no raspberries! Had to go to Morrisons for those.

@MrsFezziwig more bloody hassle than it's worth that card though I did get free earrings back along

Problem is customers, market research groups and surveys have been telling them the same things mentioned on this thread for decades. They seem completely incapable of acting on the recommendations given. It’s like banging your head against a wall hoping they’ll listen and react and for that reason I’ve given up on them. It’s like the threads on MN where someone asks for advice and are given things to try but then totally ignore everyone and carry on doing the same old same old with the same results. Frustrating and pointless

Pre-ordered food has been a problem here too. We ordered for a celebration in October and many items had only one or two days left.
Two items had a use by date the same as the collection date. We didn't take them and the store gave us a refund and free 'alternative' replacements off their own shelves

They had no Turkey crowns in my local M&S today.
I got one in Aldi.
Half the price.

I just went in to buy food to take into work and the sales lady told me not to waste my money and go back tomorrow afternoon when it’s all reduced. Which I will!

DH and I stopped at the M&S in store café for a bite to eat yesterday. Never again. The food was disgusting and overpriced. I literally couldn't eat it and I'm not a fussy person at all.

Have to say I’m loving marks and Spencer’s at the moment and haven’t shopped there for years

Black biker boots £35
Wide leg trousers for work perfect with trainers or brogues worn at least twice a week. They hang properly, wash perfectly
Plain cotton tops for layering £6.50
Nice range of casual jumpers £15
Well fitting relaxed skinny jeans £25

There are also a load of dresses I fancy, just waiting for them to go into the sale to justify them

The trousers are massive.

I’m a chunky 5”7 pear shaped woman. I tried on some jeans - their size 10s were baggy on me. I wish this was a stealth boast but it’s not, I have a fat arse and massive thighs - the sizing and fit is simply bonkers.

I want decent basics.

I find the sizing perfect, I’m a 10, and a 10 fits well

Could you link the wide leg trousers please @Amaaboutthis? They sound perfect for me!

Ditch the Sparks card, it’s crap, the worst on the high street.
Back to basics done well. Cut the frills.