M&S cuts 1,000 jobs as fashion sales dive

mcs2001

I usually bob into the Outlet store to see whether they have something I like and if not I'll skoodle on over to one of the high street stores.

Buttons - I've always re-sewn buttons before wearing a new coat. Just something I was taught to do from childhood and I'm not that old.

I'll buy from anywhere as long as I like the product.

mitchaa

BYALPHAINDIA wrote: »

I agree with 95% of the above posts, M&S is not as good as it was, Is anything?

But it is still a part of this country.

Although I can see some kind of merger/Or new owner in the next 5 years, As this economic pressure will keep going for a few years yet.

M&S might have to change to stay afloat?

They nearly went a few years back, But was rescued at the last minute, M&S had to be modernised to survive the high st.

The rescue plan worked well.

But M&S customers are a certain breed of shopper, A breed which is slowly dying out, Dare I say alot of 'Older' refined people use M&S compared to Primark, Wilkinsons etc.

I sometimes go into M&S at the Pudsey Owlcotes just for a 'Walk Round' - And compared to other City centre/Town shops M&S is on an 'Upper level'

But it is good quality at M&S no rubbish like Tesco's.Lol

And Tesco's is rubbish.

Always has been always will be.

But when I do go into M&S I never see young mums or young couples with puschairs, Or scruffy looking people, It is always smartly dressed middle aged people/couples.

I go into Tesco's or Netto and it is just 'Drivel' a different class of person completely.

The staff in M&S are really attentive & friendly.

But you are paying more for it obviously.

Just hope M&S is still here in 10 years.

A very strong opinionated view you have there.

Young couples with pushchairs?? I popped into markies the other day with my wife and the little 1 in his push chair, i do not see how i can be classed as a different class of person because...... 1, I am young, and 2, I am pushing a push chair?

I then went to tescos, put my little 1 in the trolley and did my usual food shopping, does this make me riff raff?
Tescos is rubbish?? M&S milk and bread tastes exactly the same as Tescos milk and bread
What about tescos is rubbish? Sure, i agree some markies food is of a very good quality but overall and in comparison to the stocks that tesco sell, maybe 10% of their food range?

Markies do have a loyal customer base, certainly of the older generation, but that does not make them a different breed of customer. My great aunt is in her 60's, she always shops in Markies but has nothing but a state pension and a 1 bed council flat to support her. She smokes ten to the dozen and has views that i would say are extreme, she can be quite racist, many of the older generation can be, so she is certainly not your usual middle class M&S type. She's mad about M&S and has been a loyal customer for as long as i can remember.

I think your generalisation goes a little too far, and perhaps shall i say it, you appear to be a little stuck up with your view.

Yorkshireparkin

Whilst I think M&S will survive, I think they will have to change their image somewhat. They clothes are, frankly, rubbish these days and their food, whilst good, is overpriced when compared to Waitrose etc. and not worth the extra you pay.

Nothing i have bought for my elder kids have lasted long enough to pass down and their sizing is inconsistant as well, they are tight on the length of their trousers and their women's socks aren't as good as Tesco, yet they are £1.00 dearer.

Their basics range of clothing is shocking as well, yet not that cheap. I bought some jeans for my eldest and within a few weeks, they had faded badly and looked tatty.. compare these to the John Lewis ones I bought (again basic range, same price £5.00) and the difference is staggering already. Even the Next basics range still looks good after a while.

BYALPHAINDIA There is absolutely nothing wrong with Tesco or others like them, if they have what you want at a price you want and the quality is good. It is a wise person who shops where the prices and quality are decent... it is a fool who pays more than they need to just because of a label.

PS Meant to say, I know the store you are talking about and have found the staff to be no better in their customer service skills than other stores... I just have to pay more for the priveledge of listening to them retell their sordid Friday night doings in Leeds.

beecher

It isn't a shop I ever buy anything much from - find it outdated and overpriced, and the sizes are too big. I've got one jacket I bought with vouchers and that's about it. Their food adverts make me feel repulsed so it obviously just isn't 'my' kind of shop I suppose!

My mum loves it though and as others have said once her generation is gone I'm not sure M&S can survive.

Is there a list somewhere of the stores which are closing?

Nikkster

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7814987.stm
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/robertpeston/2009/01/ms_no_ordinary_downturn.html

mysterytoyou

beecher wrote: »

It isn't a shop I ever buy anything much from - find it outdated and overpriced, and the sizes are too big. I've got one jacket I bought with vouchers and that's about it. Their food adverts make me feel repulsed so it obviously just isn't 'my' kind of shop I suppose!

My mum loves it though and as others have said once her generation is gone I'm not sure M&S can survive.

Is there a list somewhere of the stores which are closing?

There is no list yet, just know 25 Simply Food stores to close & 2 normal ones, the staff are being told at the moment, my husband works for M&S, so I waiting to hear.

780 store staff go, 450 Head Office.

Kenny4315

As long as they deliver my dining room furniture before they go bust, I'm not too fussed.

beecher

mysterytoyou wrote: »

There is no list yet, just know 25 Simply Food stores to close & 2 normal ones, the staff are being told at the moment, my husband works for M&S, so I waiting to hear.

780 store staff go, 450 Head Office.

Best of luck, it must be a frightening time. The pension changes look a bit alarming too.

neverdespairgirl

Snooze wrote: »

Yes you are right. M&S is definitely an old-person's shop and I don't care what anyone says. All you need to do is look in one to see it for yourself. You'll never see a guy in there for a start and of the women that shop there they're all in the 40+ bracket

I don't agree - I like M & S.

Geoffo_M

I see Stuart Rose has also taken some tough decisions with regard to the M&S pension scheme. It's a shame our government doesn't do the same with the whole public sector!