Should we spend our money elsewhere? Why should we choose businesses who are anti GC eg M&S

[Countdown2023]

Lots of businesses, especially retailers, rely upon female spending power.

Given that retailers like M&S have clearly decided that they are not kind on women with the introduction of gender neutral toilets and changing rooms, maybe it is time that we voted by taking our money elsewhere.

M&S also have the infamous bra advert about ‘fearless young things’ which they apologised for and withdraw but it paints a picture of how M&S feel about their core customers.

At the end of the day they need our money.

I stopped buying from them after they allowed male people to use the same group of changing rooms as female customers. And after seeing the sick male pantry wearers reviews that M&S published online. Why the fuck do I want to wear undies that make a man feel like a special woman. With a gusset that so gently but securely fits a set of dick and balls.

Just no.

Same. Haven’t even missed them and it’s been years!

But M&S are rolling out gender neutral facilities everywhere now. They claim it’s because they want to be fully inclusive. It’s a shame they have forgotten it’s women who drive household buying decisions.

or maybe M&S market research shows that the trans £ brings in far more money? Who knows?

They despise their customer base - older/mature women. They are chasing the youth market, just like the BBC, the political parties and all the others who support this. Until women vote with their feet in droves they won’t change.

I haven't bought clothes there since the news broke about changing rooms and the stuff about knicker reviews. But I have to admit to one thing. When I go to hospital for my eye jabs, I use their food shop to buy a couple of egg, tomato and salad cream sandwiches. No-one else does them. Sainsburys used to, but discontinued them. And it cheers me up after the jab.

Agree. Baffling that they would go out of the way to alienate their customer base. But as they don’t want my money, I spend it elsewhere

I've deleted app deliberately over this latest incident. Am their classic core demographic and buy kids' stuff, husband's and mine regularly. They have been increasingly looked tacky and fast fashion-y and synthentic.

From Business Review - anyone who works in Marketing knows...

"Losing a loyal customer is significantly more expensive for a business than retaining an existing one. Studies show that acquiring a new customer can cost anywhere from 5 to 25 times more than keeping an existing one. This cost includes expenses related to marketing, advertising, sales efforts, and the time invested in onboarding a new customer. Furthermore, loyal customers are more likely to make repeat purchases and refer new business, contributing to higher revenue and profitability. "

As if the cyberhack wasn't bad enough for them - women refusing to spend their money there could be just as damaging. I don't think they are going to make up the shortfall with AGPs.

I haven’t used them for years, I think it was before all the trans nonsense when I found out they are massive Tory party donors, although I don’t know if this is still true. I won’t be using them again in any case, but I can hold Olympic levels of grudge!
The town centre shop where I live had a hugely reduced display during the holy month of trans; just a couple of trans pride rainbow posters in the windows, and I think that was the most blatant display in town. Even the Lush opposite didn’t have any flags. My point being, I think (hope?) they are realising that supporting the trans movement is not the marketing winner it once was. Although I suspect that it is more likely to be that they have realised that gender neutral changing rooms are cheaper to maintain and the issues with women’s privacy and safety are the price they are willing to pay? I suppose that most of their women customers haven’t encountered any adverse behaviour and aren’t engaged enough with the wider issue so won’t stop shopping there.

I have yet to see a man wearing a pantry - this needs investigating! Was he perhaps preparing to cook coq au vin or something? 😉

I buy undies at M&S. What's a good alternative? I live in the Midlands.

I buy mine at Sainsbury’s or H&M mostly. I believe there are other shops that sell women’s clothing including pants too. 🤔

I don’t think M&S ones are made with some unique magic ingredient.

Matalan, Tesco, Sainsburys (Tu) all sell fairly cheap underwear.

I’ve been an Ocado customer for almost 20 years. I’m considering ditching them due to their principle affiliation with M&S (they do have own brand but not as good IMO). I wonder if there if our irritation with M&S should be brought to Ocado’s attention too?

If someone published a list of female supporting retailers that don’t fly the pink n blue flag I’d definitely make the effort to use them and make sure my reviews tell them why.

Wasn't there a specific thread collecting up all the retailers/businesses to avoid because of their explicit cheerleading for gender ideology awhile ago? (Sorry, can't remember precise details...)

This. I haven't shopped with JL or M&S for well over 5, maybe even 6 years by now and I don't think I ever will again. They would have to really, really work hard at gaining my custom. And I spent a lot with them.

Apologies for username. 🙄 Throwaway referencing a thread/in joke but potentially highly inappropriate on this one!

On principle I won’t buy from M & S, John Lewis, lululemon, Lush or Nike. Annoying because I like some of their products but I can’t bear to put money in their pockets because of their support for the destruction of women’s sex based rights and their disregard for children’s safeguarding.

I ended up getting an Asda Multipack or knickers during lockdown and haven't looked back.
I do still have M&S bras but keep looking for alternatives.

Same, all those you mentioned and many more. I've a whole long list and it does actually cost me in terms of inconvenience finding what I need, but I won't put a penny in their pockets. I simply won't support it where I can possibly help it.

Same as I haven't had After Eights in years, even though I really love them, and a whole other long list in that regard, too.

Forgot to quote.

Replying to @Boston365.

I did not know about After Eights @BigWillyHazyHarold
What did they do?

Or…get a male profile and bombard their underwear reviews with comments on the euphoria you feel when you have their silky pantries next to your ballsack.

That's due to being owned by Nestlé which sadly is another long story.

I have started using a independent lingerie shop in the town near to me. Run by a lovely lady who really knows her trade. It is more expensive but worth it for the personal service imo.

Lordy, I haven’t bought or used nestlé since being a teenager 40+ years ago! I used to love Caramacs and Milky Bars…