Who on earth manages stock levels in M&S??

[Candleseason]

Whoever it is, I honestly can’t believe how hopeless they are.

this morning I had a hour or two to kill in our nearest city and thought it was an ideal chance to go into the large M&S and stock up on some things for autumn. I fancied a couple of their merino jumpers, possibly a cashmere one and also to try on their loose fitting cashmere cardigan. Having budgeted for £200 - £300, I left empty handed. The main reason being the lack of any sizes other than 18 and upwards. I appreciate that sizes 10 -14 will likely be the most popular but why not order in more of these?

Surely it isn’t rocket science to work out that as their merino wool is well priced,it is likely to be popular and getting enough stock in both the shops and online would be sensible.

This isn’t a new thing, I’ve often thought that if you are a size 8 or 20/22 then M&S will always have your size in stock, it’s just everything else that seems to be impossible.

Tell me about it - I was in Clarke's the other day because Teenage Son shamefacedly admitted he's not actually tried his school shoes on when I asked him to and so realised VERY late his were a bit pinchy.

I wasn't surprised that stock was pretty wiped out by time we turned up, but I WAS shocked when the store manager told me that Clarke's doesn't bother to tell him what's coming or take requests for popular styles that have run out. "Go online" isn't a smart sales line for a shop that's made its reputation MEASURING CHILDREN'S FEET and talking up how important well-fitted shoes are!

M&S are rubbish and the last time I had to buy something was for a last minute interview as I think I’d stained what I had on. I did manage to get something but for their Victoria store you’d think they’d have more in. I think still as more people are wfh then they don’t use M&S for work clothes much now in that area.

They don't want loads left though. So the ones no one wants are overstocked rather than there not being enough of the ones people do want

I don't know about it. Food quality seems to be going downhill. Bought a couple of boxes of chocolates recently. One was three months out of date. The other was in date but the chocolates were white and smelt strange - as if they were mouldy. That's never happened before. I think they're losing it!

If people are visiting the store and not finding their size then they're understocking and losing sales (money).

If they have too many of other sizes left then they're over-ordering and wasting money.

It's a fine balance and needs local knowledge or excellent systems to do well.

They're trying to save money by centralising ordering and skimping on intelligent systems. This will be losing them sales, although they hope some of these customers will go online.

The high street is circling the drain.

They are always out of stock online too! Especially for kids stuff. Drives me mad.

Yes it's ridiculous.

Extra tall men need to actually try clothes on in store.

I've got three tall men to buy for so M+S are losing out as I won't buy online.