Marks & Spencer news

M&S forms a new energy partnership and simplifies store management structure. New energy partner aligns with M&S on digital-first customer service M&S forms a new partnership with Octopus to supply energy and services under the M&S Energy brand, beginning in September 2018. Jonathan Hazeldine, Head of M&S Energy said Octopus was chosen because of its "values of responsible and transparen...

We take a look at how retailers are becoming increasingly imaginative in executing seasonal within the health and beauty category. M&S’ Beauty Box: providing value on summer essentials The new beauty box is available to purchase for £15 when spending £40 or more on Clothing, Beauty and Homeware. The content of the box is worth a total of £135 and includes a range of both full size and sa...

M&S has announced a new strategic partnership with Microsoft in its next step towards becoming a digital-first retailer. Dual focus: efficiencies and customer experience A team of AI engineers and product personnel from Microsoft will partner with the M&S Retail Labs team to accelerate M&S's digital transformation. They will focus on testing the integration of Microsoft AI technologies into...

UK-based clothing and food retailer Marks & Spencer has announced total group sales of GBP10,698m for the 52 weeks to 31 March 2018, up 0.7%. UK sales were up 1.7% to GBP9,611m, but operating profit in the market fell 14.5%, to GBP535m, against a tough competitive environment. To address the challenges of a fast changing marketplace, M&S is moving to transform its business at pace, including the ...

Both retailers launch new food-focused advertising, and a new initiative from M&S encourages colleagues to communicate about their favourite food hall products. Waitrose's "Beautifully Simple" meal solutions The grocer's new campaign encourages people to cook with its simple recipes. Each of these includes a limited number of ingredients and three steps to complete. Products and recipes car...

Executive Director for Customer, Marketing & Digital, Patrick Bousquet-Chavanne leaves the business amid continued changes at M&S. Bousqet-Chavanne to step down after six years’ service After six years with the retailer Bousquet-Chavanne is set to leave M&S in May. As well as serving on the board Bousquet-Chavanne has led key marketing programmes including last year’s Paddington Christmas a...

M&S appoints Stuart Machin for the newly created role of food managing director. Key role in its transformation programme In his new role Machin will be responsible for overseeing operations across the retailer's food division, as well as playing a key part in accelerating its business-wide transformation programme. Machin is set to take up the newly created role next month, and will rep...

The retailer will close six stores by April, with a further eight stores under review, as work continues to ensure it has the right offer in the right locations. Consistent with strategy to rationalise Clothing & Home space Colleagues from the closing stores in Birkenhead, Bournemouth, Durham, Fforestfach, Putney and Redditch are set to take up roles in nearby stores. 468 colleagues at the ...

Marks & Spencer recruits Sharry Cramond into newly created role of marketing director for food and hospitality. New senior marketing team structure Cramond is set to take on the role on Jan 29th, bringing a wealth of digital experience, having previously worked for Southeastern Grocers in the US, as well as Tesco and Coles Australia. Nathan Ansell moves from marketing director for custom...

M&S reports deeper decline in like-for-like food sales in the festive third quarter of the year. CEO Steve Rowe pointed to consumers' tighter budgets impacting the food division's performance. Though sales grew 3.6%, like-for-likes declined -0.4%, dropping from -0.1% at its half year results. However, the retailer is in the early stages of a five year turnaround plan, including slowing Simp...