Why haven’t Marks and Spencer closed?

[Bearbehind]

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?

I received an email a few days ago stating what they are doing.

I remember, many moons ago when I did A level Geography, we actually studied how the position of an M&S influenced the rest of the town

They should be leading this, not dragging up the rear

Should the supermarkets close off their non-food departments too then?

Should the supermarkets close off their non-food departments too then?

Yes where possible. Stop people browsing, and only going to actual buy essentials.

I didn't mean that to sound sarcastic btw it was a genuine question!

Should the supermarkets close off their non-food departments too then?

Realistically, probably yes - staff spent manning those departments can be better used elsewhere

M&S aren’t primarily a food retailer

If they want to continue to sell food then fine, but they should do their bit in discouraging people from going clothes shopping in store

Boris only announced the closure of bars, restaurants etc on Friday at 5pm so I'd give most businesses a chance tomorrow to decide what to do.

I'm disgusted that Boris etc waited till 5pm, many people got laid off on Friday or told to go home on unpaid leave, Boris could have saved them all that horror by making the 80% of wages announcement earlier.

Also telling people at 5pm on a Friday that pubs were closing that night was asking for trouble, we'll see how much trouble in the next couple of weeks

www.theindustry.fashion/marks-spencer-cancels-100m-in-clothing-orders-and-considers-temporary-closures/

most businesses a chance tomorrow to decide what to do.

A lot of the businesses where I am have this weekend decided to close, to protect their staff. Hopefully the last remaining ones choose to do the right thing tomorrow.

While I agree people should only be essential shopping...

Over the next few months children will grow out of clothes and shoes. People will need new pants. Shoes will wear out... Having basics clothes in supermarkets could be the only way some people have of getting them (not everyone can shop online). I'm not talking browsing for clothes, but having basics available. No trying on, no returns.

I suspect they will shut a lot of their stores that were already on their hit list for good.

I noticed that their on store sale had gone down to x.99 prices very quickly. In some of their stores, it would make sense for them to clear away all but a very basic range of clothes - undies etc - and expand their food halls into the space made available so they are less crowded.

They should keep food hall open but section off the clothes...if someone wants clothes they can order online.

The food hall has been a live saver for me the only shop with fresh veg around here...Tesco & sainasburys have no fresh or frozen veg! Always pay by card so the cashier doesn’t have to handle money and people in there do stand away from you in the queue

Should the supermarkets close off their non-food departments too then?

Yes they should, right now nobody is that desperate for a new top or pair of knickers

Our M&S could quite easily close the rest of the store off from the food hall, and I suspect that’s what might happen in the next day or two.
I went today to get food and they had almost everything on their shelves, plenty of fresh fruit and veg, lots of stuff that would be ideal for freezing, and hardly any other customers. No loo roll, pasta, or hand sanitiser of course.
I don’t know if people forget they sell food, or would rather panic buy in a massive supermarket, but I’m actually quite glad they’re still open at the minute.

I really hope M&S Simply Food doesn’t close. I do most of my food shopping there.

Take away restaurants have taped off the seating area so I guess m+s could do the same ( tape off the non essentials) Earlier last week my local out of town M&S had milk ( a little) and bread and some chicken and mother’s day meals -the supermarket next door had nothing - (except flowers and Easter eggs)no meat fish eggs milk bread tins packets nothing.

I do the majority of my food shop at M&S, I don’t see why they should close.

I have has emails from M&S about their response and I believe that they are closing their clothing & homeware bits, just keeping food open

M&S have been the best stocked grocery store around here even if I had to go to spend way more than I usually do.

Well, they need to close now and shame on them for not doing it sooner

They have a massive influence over what people perceive as the ‘norm’ and the fact they just carried on regardless helped to encourage others to do the same

Well, they need to close now and shame on them for not doing it sooner

They don’t need to close their food outlets. Just everything else.

M&S are not going to fully close.

Stores where the food hall does not have a designated exit probably will completely close. Where you can get into the food hall without going via the clothing will stay open.

It would make sense for them to shift their other stock back to warehouse for online shopping and make more space for food supplies. That would also help spread people out in the store

Aroundtheworldin80moves, yep, I’m also concerned about this. My DD is two and needs new shoes regularly. Not because she wears them out, but because her feet are growing quite fast.

I walked to our local M&S today, it was fantastic, there was loads of food in there but hardly any shoppers. I got some half price flowers - I'm WFH so can enjoy them, some hand wash and even a meal deal! I felt like I'd gone back in time.
Totally understand if they have to close of the rest of the shop and tbh I didn't stop to look at anything else but it felt like an oasis of calm in what has been a week of madness!