We choose the next M&S leading lady line-up March 24, 2014 The latest M&S gaggle of leading ladies has been revealed today. This time wearing the embattled chain’s wares (or should we say wears) are actress Emma Thompson, singers Rita Ora and Annie Lennox, model Alek Wek, campaigner Doreen Lawrence, east London fashion powerhouse Lulu Kennedy and engineer Roma Agrawal. It’s a great shot, there’s some [...]
Next overtakes M&S as CEO delivers economic warning March 20, 2014 High street fashion store next had, in its own words, a great year last year. In a landmark moment, it's overtaken Marks and Spencer as the biggest clothes retailer by profits in the UK. It's upped its sales growth forecast significantly – from between one and four per cent to between four and eight per cent. [...]
John Lewis pays 15pc bonus as sales beat M&S March 6, 2014 JOHN Lewis’s partners will share a reduced bonus pot equal to 15 per cent of the average staff salary as the retailer put more money aside to shore up its huge pension fund. The £202.5m bonus, which was announced to 91,000 John Lewis and Waitrose staff yesterday at stores across the country, is equivalent to [...]
Here’s why one analyst is getting excited about M&S February 19, 2014 Marks & Spencer shares have jumped this morning after investment bank Jefferies upgraded the stock to reflect the retailer’s new online street cred. M&S, which has been battling to turn around its clothing business in the face of massive competition on the high street and online, has seriously impressed Jefferies with its new “industry-leading” [...]
M&S boss Marc Bolland defends Xmas discounts January 9, 2014 MARKS & SPENCER chief executive Marc Bolland yesterday denied that the retailer had sparked this Christmas’s frenzied discounting as the chain’s clothing sales fell for a 10th consecutive quarter. The high street bellwether said like-for-like general merchandise sales, which include homeware and clothing, dropped by 2.1 per cent in the 13 weeks to 28 December. [...]
M&S investor piles pressure for cash return January 7, 2014 MARKS & Spencer shareholders are putting pressure on the high street retailer to buy shares or increase its dividend, as the City braces itself for a gloomy trading update tomorrow. One top 20 investor told City A.M. “There is some pressure on management somewhat given that we are at the end of the turnaround strategy [...]
Marks & Spencer hit by analyst downgrades to profit forecasts January 6, 2014 MARKS & Spencer was dealt a further blow after two city brokers slashed their full-year profit forecasts for the embattled retailer, sending shares lower yesterday. Analysts at house broker Citigroup cut their full-year profit forecast by £10m to £630m after a gloomy trading statement from rival Debenhams last week, and amid fears of heavy discounting [...]
M&S sales lose their shine after poor Christmas January 6, 2014 MARKS & Spencer is set to report poor festive trading this week as heavy discounting activity in the run-up to Christmas failed to spark a late surge in spending. Analysts predict the retailer will report a drop in third quarter general merchandise sales of as much as 1.5 per cent, despite a highly publicised revamp [...]
Marks & Spencer chief heads charge against EU regulations October 14, 2013 BUSINESS leaders will this morning set out 30 EU regulations that they believe should be scrapped in order to help the British economy, in a boost for Prime Minister David Cameron’s plan to renegotiate a new relationship with Brussels. The business taskforce, headed by a team including Marks & Spencer chief executive Marc Bolland, was commissioned by the [...]
Marks & Spencer reveals plan to revamp its shops September 10, 2013 SHARES in Marks & Spencer rose two per cent yesterday as the latest phase of the retailer’s turnaround plan won the City’s approval. Chief executive Marc Bolland showcased a new layout for its womenswear range at the Oxford Street Pantheon store that it hopes to roll-out across the UK. The changes include a new shoe [...]