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Why haven’t Marks and Spencer closed?

51 replies

Bearbehind · 22/03/2020 21:09

M&S are a British institution yet they don’t even have a CV update on their website

They need to close, certainly their non-food in store operation

What are they waiting for?

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Doyoumind · 22/03/2020 21:11

They are food shops. They need to stay open. How could they close part of the store?

covetingthepreciousthings · 22/03/2020 21:12

. How could they close part of the store?

Most of the M&S shops I've been in including the local one would be able to do this fairly easily and just block off escalators to the upper clothing floors as the food is in the lower ground and has a separate entrance.

I also think Next and Argos need to close too..

Bearbehind · 22/03/2020 21:13

How could they close part of the store?

Easily - they just cordon access off and move resources to food, just like JohnLewis are doing with Waitrose

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ChrissieKeller61 · 22/03/2020 21:14

If they close the food department that will be my tipping point

mindproject · 22/03/2020 21:15

I think they should just stay open as usual. Good old M&S. I have great respect for those that keep calm and carry on.

bigchris · 22/03/2020 21:16

I think they should just be open for food too

Along With Waitrose

Poor staff having to go in to wait about to see if any one wants to buy undies

Selfsettling3 · 22/03/2020 21:17

They definitely have a covid 19 update on their website.

Bearbehind · 22/03/2020 21:17

I have great respect for those that keep calm and carry on.

Even though you’ve been quite clearly told not to go out for anything non-essential, you still need a clothing & homeward shop to be open

Well done you 🤔

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bigchris · 22/03/2020 21:17

@mindproject and the staff carry the virus around public transport and back to their families? Keep calm and spread disease ?

Aderyn19 · 22/03/2020 21:18

I'd be embarrassed to go shopping now, apart from supermarket/chemist. It's not right to risk people's lives for trivial shit like new clothes.

covetingthepreciousthings · 22/03/2020 21:18

I think they should just stay open as usual. Good old M&S. I have great respect for those that keep calm and carry on.

Great respect for employers that are putting their staff AND customers at risk.. Hmm
It's socially irresponsible to stay open at this point if you are a non essential shop.

Bearbehind · 22/03/2020 21:18

They definitely have a covid 19 update on their website.

Where?

It certainly doesn’t pop up on a banner at the top of the page like most other retailers

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RealityCheck24601 · 22/03/2020 21:19

@covetingthepreciousthings, why argos?
It's probably one of the easiest shops for social distancing..especially if you use the self service screens/order online for collection.
Most staff work behind the collection point desk so can easily stay 6ft away from customers.

sunshineandshowers21 · 22/03/2020 21:20

my friend works at a large m&s and she said they’ve been told that they will most probably be closing off all entry to the upper floors and just keeping the ground floor food bit open. apparently m&s doesn’t count as an essential shop though. my aunt owns a stall in a large shopping centre and they’ve had an email saying that if they have to close the only places allowed to remain open will be boots and sainsbury’s.

LittleLittleLittle · 22/03/2020 21:21

The M & S where I live can't do this. As the floor the food hall is on also has women's clothing on it.

The M & S where I work can't do this. As it only has one floor. The food hall and the clothing lines are on this floor.

M & S also have a bank. Their banking counters are never on the floor of the food hall and they have to keep them open.

ListenLinda · 22/03/2020 21:22

@RealityCheck24601 except in the Argos store DH works in. It was absolutely packed and not a lot of social distancing going on in store today!

littlebitwooway · 22/03/2020 21:23

They do, it is as the top, very small on their website.

I was quite surprised that are not shut, but Debenhams have not either- just reducing hours.

JL has shut to free up staff to work in Waitrose.

Bearbehind · 22/03/2020 21:24

little, there’s really no such thing as ‘can’t’ right now

They could section off clothing from food

They could move the banking counters

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Bearbehind · 22/03/2020 21:25

They do, it is as the top, very small on their website.

Could you provide a link as I absolutely can’t see anything

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FlamingoAndJohn · 22/03/2020 21:26

In our M&S you have to walk through part of the women’s wear to get to the food. I guess they could just move the clothing stuff out of the way but I bet you’d have people complaining they couldn’t buy a jumper.

PickAChew · 22/03/2020 21:28

Yes they do. It's a banner link at the top of their home page.

And they sell food.

Bearbehind · 22/03/2020 21:31

All I can see on a banner is 2 for £20 swim shorts

Why haven’t Marks and Spencer closed?
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tessiegirl · 22/03/2020 21:32

They definitely have a covid 19 update on their website!!!

FlamingoAndJohn · 22/03/2020 21:33

It’s on the mobile site.

Why haven’t Marks and Spencer closed?
Bearbehind · 22/03/2020 21:35

Well it’s not showing up on an iPad so it’s a bit shit

Point still stands that clothing and homeward should be shut

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