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.

Do great teen basics - leggings, t shirts, big cardis, socks pants and for girls vest/bra things

The beauty hall is excellent & well curated but not well promoted. And the stores look really lacklustre & knackered.

How many times do M&S customers have to say QUALITY STAPLES before anyone takes any notice?

I think the rot set in when Vogue gave them the first editorial spread. Ever since that, the designers have been chasing an elusive fashion buyer, who will only ever shop at M&S in a faintly ironic way... and even then for the perfect white shirt to bring an outfit together. Serious fashion buyers get the statement pieces from the actual designer, not the M&S high street knock off.

QUALITY STAPLES and a brilliant accessories/shoe department to recreate seasonal looks at a reasonable price. That would do me.

Possibly have a store in each city that stocks maternity wear?
There are I think four or five big M&S stores in my city. I would have liked to be able to go to one to look at maternity wear, but no, it was all on line. I can’t be faffed fiddling about collecting parcels & returning stuff that doesn’t fit, with a ft + job & toddler.

So I didn’t bother & got my little mat wear from new look & primark & H&M, who allocate one of their 4-5 stores in this city to carry maternity wear. Helpfully both in the same shopping centre.

Not going to be pregnant again now, but it would have been helpful.

Would also echo the calls for decent basics. I’ve long given up hope of them making bras in my size.

So many people on here saying the same thing and NO ONE IS LISTENING.

Same with not listening to the reviews and discontinuing much-loved items.

I wonder if they think they are too big to fail?

M&S, if you're out there: nobody is going to bail you out like RBS was bailed out in 2008.

(I would actually hate to see M&S go down, purely because of their Plan A sustainability thing. That is one thing they do seem to be trying to get right. Although how they square it with all that polyester and acrylic I'm not quite sure.)

Yes also if they did plain/non logoed children's clothing I'd probably get a lot for DS in there as sizing and quality is generally decent.

Agree - ditch the designers, there are the odd things that are lovely but firstly they are hideously overpriced & secondly there aren't enough nice things, kids uniform is the best around so expand that, maybe off embroidery for the uniforms too? mens stuff is so-so, could be better, the beauty section is fab, underwear is fab too so don't ditch those teams, food section is great in parts but a revamp wouldn't go amiss, online food shopping would be marvellous, my nearest food hall is 12 miles away so I only go every so often, if I could shop online I would buy more often. Party food is great & M&S is the first place we go to for it.

I was slightly dismayed to hear the bbc report that they are closing stores and intend to rely more heavily on online sales. My experiences of ordering online from them have been dreadful. Last time I ran out of tights it took 10 days for my order to be delivered. I could have had next day delivery with next or half a dozen other brands. It wasn't a one off. Everything takes ages. That's just not acceptable in 2018 when people are used to Amazon Prime and the like.

Stop messing with basics, keep the underwear, vests, tights, leggings the same. Sure add new ranges but stop messing with sizing and fabrics in the essential, repeat buy item, ranges.

2.Sack your womenswear design team.All of them.Now.

This.

Are all their DD+ bras still padded? Last time i looked i eye-rolled at all their DD+ bras. No one with GGs like mine wants bloody padding!

It's such a shame. So many other brands out there would kill for M&Ss high st reputation. They have a place in our hearts and have had for soooooooo long. The still could still salvage it. They could still turn it around and be forgiven and retake their place. But they're determined to blow themselves out of existence almost!

(I must say I'm always surprised how much i like their shoes. One thing i think they're doing ok with).

Take out the padding in bras, would like some nice cotton bras they used to do.
When you add the non padded bra filter they have a far lower percentage of bras availaible than other shops such as debenhams . Not sure why they are obsessed with padding, same with swimsuits

While we are a team it, Clarks should start listening too. I am not buying exclusively Clarks now. Neither are my family.

• Sell the sweet potato and squash rostis all year round, not just at Christmas.
• Larger shoe sizes. Have never bought shoes from M&S simply because they don't go up to my size. Next and New Look do, so I buy from there.
• Hire a better fashion team to encourage younger shoppers.
• Stop adding rocket to the chicken and avocado sandwich. It ruins it

"At it". Autocorrect.

The perfect T shirt:

Short sleeved, crew neck, V neck, cotton, range of colours (seriously, all the colours), one fitted, one boxy

Long sleeved as above [see J Crew]

Well tailored trousers in a range of shapes and lengths in natural fabrics.

Knitwear as above.

IE, quality staples. When I want to replace all my long sleeved Ts, I would then only need to go to M&S. I buy many of my short sleeved Ts from J Crew (in US), as they've got a few different shapes, and tonnes of colours - so instead of their being 1 for me, there's about 5, so I buy more than 1!!

Oh and if your markerting strategy includes use of bloggers / Instagrammers, make sure you have LOADS of online stock of that item - people following them will go straight online, not to a store. I saw a blogger's dress, went to the link - sold out in every size. I don't particularly like going instore (and have very little time to anyway), as the stores are so confusing to navigate. Too much stock.

KISS - Keep It Simple, Stupid!

Please ensure you have an adequate supply of knickers to go with the different styles of bras. On the odd occasion I've actually found a bra in my size that fits there are no matching pants in the right size to go with it. I'm sure I'm not the only one that always buys two, sometimes three, pairs for each bra.
Ensure it is possible to actually get in and out and move around in your dresses. I've had one it would be impossible for any normal person to fasten up without help and one that was so narrow around the hem ( no stretch or split) that it was an ordeal to walk or get in and out of the car in.
Ditch the horrible synthetics.
Who wears those very bright coloured jeggins?
Offer a full range of sizes, too many 16s and nothing else on most displays.
In the food department have more veggie/vegan choices.
AND - I have found most of the staff grumpy and unhelpful recently.

The quality of adult clothes is very poor, I think they're too expensive for what you get, I think you can get clothes for equal if not better quality at other high street stores.

I shop in food hall once a month or so, I only go into the clothing bit for kids clothes now.

Make sure that all styles of shoes are available in normal width not just wide width/fit. Some of us have small feet!

Also if I have made an effort to go into your store, I expect you to have my size of knickers in the design and colour I want. I could order them online but I have driven, parked and walked to your store and I do expect to come out with a purchase!

I ordered a load of stuff to NZ during an offer period. 20% off tops.

Arrived in 5 days! Amazing! And free delivery over a certain amount.

I was horrified at the quality. Primark fabrics and cuts. Sizes massive. Colours not true to website pictures. Some bits were great. Pants, t shirts, a pair of shoes that has constant compliments but needed to return half of the delivery due to crapness.

That's fine. Their returns policy was well advertised. I can send to a 'local' address in Australia and they manage and pay the onward postage to UK.

I couldn't see how to do that so emailed them. Oh sorry, we've stopped that now. I have to pay to send back to UK. The cost of the return is more than the cost of the clothes. So now I'm stuck with a load of dusters and will never order or buy from them again. So so sad.

Still advertised on their website

Their school uniform is brilliant but I’m only able to get shirts & triusr from there now.

Local branches could work with local schools in the same way John Lewis does for school specific skirts & logo items.

Definitely the veggie food thing. I was in M&S Brent Cross recently, which is huge, and the 'vegetarian meals' section contained nothing but potato side dishes. The deli section had several choices of sausage roll but only a very unappealing cheese and onion pasty thing. More and more people are eating less meat now but they'd struggle in M&S if they wanted a ready meal that wasn't plainish pasta.

Quality classic staples – very good quality white shirts for instance, in a variety of styles; pure wool/cashmere knitwear, without sparkle or appliqué.