List of Marks & Spencer brands
The following list of Marks & Spencer brands details the various brand names under which retailer Marks & Spencer sells or has sold its present and former product lines over the years.[1]
Product line history
Product type | Marks & Spencer brand |
---|---|
Introduced | 1928 |
Discontinued | 2000 |
St Michael was a brand that was owned and used by Marks & Spencer from 1928 until 2000.
The brand was introduced by Simon Marks in 1928, after his father and co-founder of Marks & Spencer, Michael Marks. By 1950, virtually all goods were sold under the St Michael brand. M&S lingerie, women's clothing and girls' uniform were branded under the St Margaret brand, until the whole range of general merchandise became St Michael.
In 2000, Marks & Spencer dropped the St Michael brand, and replacing it with the Marks & Spencer brand. The St Michael name was subsequently adopted as a 'quality guarantee' and appeared as the St Michael Quality Promise on the back of food products, on the side of delivery vehicles and on in-store ordering receipts. The St Michael Quality Promise was phased out a few years ago Marks & Spencer.
Marks & Spencer were selling clothes under the St Margaret and St Michael label by the mid-1950s and launched their school uniforms in the early 1950s, but would be scrapped in the year 2000 as part of the corporate modernisation plan,[1] when brands such as Autograph were launched.[1]
The company put its main emphasis on quality, including a 1957 stocking size measuring system.[1] For most of its history, it has also had a reputation for offering fair value for money.
The synthetic fibre Tricell was first used in 1957 and lasted until the 1970s[1] and another synthetic fibre called Courtelle was first launched nationally by Marks & Spencer during 1960 and also lasted well into the 1970s.[1] Machine washable wool first appeared in 1972 and Lycra hosiery first came in during 1986.[1]
M&S launched their own brands of domestic products, such as washing powder and aluminium foil in 1972, under the brand name of 'House-care'.[1]
M&S has sold Christmas cakes and Christmas puddings since 1958. In an effort to improve the quality of their Swiss rolls, they hired the food expert Nat Goldberg, who made a major improvement across their entire cake range, which had lost the public's favour a few years earlier. As a later measure to improve food quality food labelling was improved and "sell by dates" were phased in between 1970 and 1972.[1]
Boil-in-the-bag and sachet meals were first pioneered by M&S in 1972 and the award winning Gastropub food range was launched in 2004.[1] The 'Melting middle chocolate pudding' campaign of 2005 led to a remarkable 3,000% rise in chocolate pudding sales,[1] something that has not re-occurred since.
The successful Autograph brand was launched in 2000 and was originally meant to be for men, but had now moved on to cover children and women by 2005.[1]
The Percy Pigs sweets were first created in 1995[2] and the billionth "Percy Pig" sweet was sold by the October 2007.[1]
M&S's relatively successful interior design 'Homeware' brand was launched in 2005 and renamed 'Home' in 2006. It features products like vases, furniture, beds etc.[1]
Fashion guru Sara Bradley will take a 'senior role' within M&S's clothing business by mid-2011 .
The firm's major clothing lines
M&S markets its major adult clothes ranges under the following brand names:
Limited collection
Brand | Line | Customer gender | Products | Source(s) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Limited Collection | Limited collection Junior | Unisex | Kids' Partywear, posh clothes, smart shoes, designer clothes and party wear | [3][4] |
Limited Collection (larger stores only) | - | Women | Smart-casual clothing, lingerie and hosiery. | .[5][6][7][8] |
Limited Collection (limited stores only and online) | - | Men | Smart-casual clothing, aimed at a young 'edgy' style. | .[9] |
Per Una
Brand | Line | Customer gender | Products | Source(s) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Per Una | - | Female | Designer fashion garments, belts, tunics, hats, shoes, bags, scarfs, night clothes, bags, umbrellas, belts, lingerie and hosiery. | .[5][6][8][10] |
Per Una | Buy me now or lose me for ever- limited stock. | Female | Per Una's discounted and one off special edition designer clothes | - |
Per Una | Per Una Petite (only available online) | Female | Per Una's small clothes | - |
Per Una is a range of younger female's clothing sold at M&S stores, launched on 28 September 2001 as a joint venture between M&S and Next founder George Davies. The brand name means for one (woman) in Italian. All per Una items include the three hearts logo, inspired by a postcard seen by Davies while on holiday in Italy.
The Per Una brand has been a major success for the company,[11] and in October 2004, M&S bought the brand in a £125 million, two-year service contract with George Davies.[12] Mr Davies was to stay on for at least two years to run the company, with 12 months notice required if he wished to leave.[11][12]
The teenagers' line called Per Una Due was launched in early 2004,[13][14][15] but sales were poor and it was discontinued in the May 2004, while the adult lines had flourished by 2010.[5][6]
The Designer discount brand was relaunched in the festive season 2008–2009 as- By me now or lose me for ever- limited stock.
Planned new Per Una sub-brands
M&S also announced it was planning to take over Twiggy's Twiggy international label during the winter 2010[16] and merge it into Per Una.
North Coast
Brand | Line | Customer gender | Products | Source(s) |
---|---|---|---|---|
North Coast | - | Men | Cool, easy and relaxed casuals, scarfs and hats. | - |
Portfolio
Brand | Line | Customer gender | Products | Source(s) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Portfolio | Perfect | Unisex | Coats, posh skirts, tunics, scarfs, belts, lingerie and hosiery. | .[5][5][6][6][10][17] |
Portfolio This was aimed at the core 40-55 business woman. It is meant to offer all that is close to her feminine side. The shoes, trouser suits, blouses and frocks will be UK sourced and the T-shirts will involve Fair trade cotton from India, Bangladesh and Pakistan.[5][6][18] It has incorporated some products from the former 'Perfect' and 'Essential' sub-brands. Portfolio Cashmere had absorbed the other male and female M and S cashmere jumper lines. Portfolio (headed by Marie Helvin since 2008) recently began to issue Speziale fashion trousers and Jeggings in a final bid for customers in late 2010 [19] The Portfolio brand is currently being phased out.[20]
Indigo Collection
Brand | Line | Customer gender | Products | Source(s) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Indigo Collection (headed by Myleene Klass) | - | Female | Casual women's clothes, scarfs, gloves, hand bags and belts | .[5][6][21] |
Indigo collection | Denim | Female | Women's jeans | - |
Indigo collection | Casual | Female | Women's casual tops | - |
The Indigo collection junior | Indigo Company | Boys | Casual shirts, casual jeans and play wear | - |
The Indigo collection junior | - | Unisex | Posh cloths for kids | - |
Indigo baby | - | Unisex | Hats, baby clothes, blanket sleepers, Romper suits, cot blankets, babies' and bibs by the Indigo line. | - |
The Indigo collection junior | Denim junior | Unisex | Children's high-end/upmarket jeans. |
The Indigo collection This is a new range, aimed at the core, 18-25, feminine Casual-Comfortable type. It is meant to offer all that is close to her feminine side. The shoes, trousers and jeans will be UK and Bangladeshi-sourced and the T-shirts will involve Fair trade cotton from Senegal, Bangladesh, India and Pakistan. Beachwear may be added to the list if the success continues.[5][6][22]
It has a sub-brand product range called Denim which deals with women's jeans.[5][6]
Babywear was reduced to woolly hats, gloves, socks and bed linen- after its baby clothes, blanket sleepers, Romper suits, cot blankets, babies' bibs, non-woolly hats, socks and cot linen were turned in the Indigo Baby line in the January 2011.
Autograph
Brand | Line | Customer gender | Products | Source(s) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Autograph (headed by John Powell) | - | Unisex | Unisex and/or mixed ranges of hats, belts, scarves, gloves, bags, plus women's lingerie, tunics and hosiery. Smart-casual clothing exclusively designed for M&S by designers such as Nigel Hall, Jeffery West and Timothy Everest. | .[1][5][6][10][10][23][23][24][24][25][25][26][26] |
Autograph | Casual | Male | Smart-casual clothing | |
Autograph | Autograph weekend | Unisex | Smart and casual clothes | .[5][6] |
Autograph | Formal | Male | Formal shirts, ties, and suits | - |
Autograph | Fair trade | Unisex | As the name suggests, it is for fair trade cotton T-shirts from India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bulgaria and Senegal | - |
Autograph junior | - | Male | Boys' smart clothes, bags, belts, shoes, coats and partyware | .[3][27] |
Autograph | Luxury | Male | Upmarket knitwear for men | - |
Autograph Autograph celebrated its tenth birthday in January 2010.[26]
Marks and Spencer
Brand | Line | Customer gender | Products | Source(s) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Marks and Spencer | Linen with love | Female | Linen clothes | - |
Marks and Spencer | Skirts (major stores only) | Female | cheap, utilitarian 'good value' skirts | - |
Marks and Spencer | Original and authentic laundry, soft linen cloths | Female | Linen casual tops | - |
Marks and Spencer | Original and authentic linen issue | Female | Linen clothes | [10] |
Marks and Spencer | Original and authentic laundry, lovingly laundered | Female | Linen tops | - |
Marks and Spencer | Original and authentically crumpled | Female | Linen shirts and blouses | - |
Marks and Spencer | Basic Jeans | Female | cheap, good value, utilitarian jeans | - |
Marks and Spencer | Fair trade | Female | As the name suggests, it is for fair trade cotton T-shirts and jeans from India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Senegal | - |
Marks and Spencer | Performance sportswear | Female | A line of serious sportswear for dedicated female athletes | - |
Marks and Spencer | Perfect-tee | Female | Upmarket T-shirts. | - |
Marks and Spencer | umbrellas | Female | cheap, good value, utilitarian umbrellas | - |
Marks and Spencer | Basic Jeans junior | Female | Girl's cheap, good value, utilitarian jeans | - |
Marks and Spencer | - | Female | Girl's shoes. | - |
Linen shop is the department in larger stores which sells the various linen articles listed above along with some linen items from other lines and brands.[10][28][29]
Classic Collection
Brand | Line | Customer gender | Products | Source(s) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Classic Collection | Seasonal Classics | Female | Smart and smart casual seasonal clothes, scarves and hats | .[5][6][10] |
Classic Collection | Summer Classics | Female | Smart and smart casual seasonal clothes, scarves and hats | .[5][6] |
Classic | - | Men | Underwear, scarves, socks and pyjamas | - |
Classic collection This is a new seasonal range, aimed at the core 55+ retired woman. It is meant to offer all that is close to her feminine side. The shoes, skirts, blouses and frocks will be UK sourced and the T-shirts will involve Fair trade cotton from India and Pakistan.[5][6] It has a 'Seasonal Classics' and 'Summer Classics' lines
Blue Harbour
Brand | Line | Customer gender | Products | Source(s) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Blue Harbour | - | Men | Britain's largest men's casual brand. | [30] |
Blue Harbour | Heritage | Men | Britain's largest men's casual brand | - |
Blue Harbour | Luxury | Men | Higher-end casual clothing | - |
Blue Harbour | Golf | Men | Golf clothing | - |
Blue Harbour Britain's largest men's casuals brand, includes the sub-brands Heritage, Luxury and Golf.
Other clothing lines
Other adult only clothes lines
M&S markets its miscellaneous and specialist adult clothes ranges under the following product ranges:
Brand | Line | Customer gender | Products | Source(s) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Sportsware | - | Female | Casual feminine sportswear | - .[31][32] |
Bridal (only available online) | - | Female | Wedding cloths | - |
Love Life, love leisure | - | Female | Casual feminine sportswear | - |
Petite Collection (selected stores only) | - | Women | Small clothes | - |
Love Pink | - | Women | M&S periodically markets charitable clothes for Breakthrough Breast Cancer. | |
M&S Maternity (larger stores only) | - | Female | Maternity clothes | [33] |
Ceriso | - | Woman | Lingerie, night clothes and hosiery. | [7] |
Body | - | Women | Lingerie, night clothes and hosiery. | [7] |
Post surgical, maternity and sporting | - | Women | As their name suggests, it is a line of post surgical, maternity and sporting bras. | [7] |
Stormwear | - | unisex | water-repellent clothing, includes denim, shorts, chinos, coats, footwear, thermal gloves and suits. | - |
Big & Tall (only available online) | - | Male | larger sized clothing only available from marksandspencer.com. | - |
Long & Tall (only available online) | - | Female | larger sized clothing only available from marksandspencer.com. | - |
Ultimate | - | Male | Suits, trousers, shirts, ties and blazers. Lingerie and hosiery. | [34] |
Brazil's | - | Women | Brazils and Tangas | [7] |
Occasions | - | Female | Posh hats, bags and scarves | - |
Collette headed by Collette Dinnigan (only available online) | - | Female | Sexy lingerie and nightwear | .[35] |
Cool & Fresh | - | Male | Underwear and socks that keep you cool and fresh by absorbing excess moisture on the skin. | - |
Climate Control | - | Male | Underwear, hats and socks that keep you cool in the summer and warm in the winter using technology from NASA. | - |
Wearing the waste | - | Unisex | coats and bags made out of recycled plastic bottles. | - |
Collezione | - | Men | Formal, Italian inspired clothing | .[36] |
Sartorial Collection | - | Men | Formal, inspired by Saville Row |
Breakthrough Breast Cancer M & S periodically markets charitable Love Pink clothes for Breakthrough Breast Cancer. M & S has sold a wide range of charitable women's clothes for Breakthrough Breast Cancer[37] for many years.
Other Children's only clothes
M&S markets its miscellaneous and specialist childrenswear under the following brand names:
Brand | Line | Customer gender | Products | Source(s) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Skiware | - | Unisex | children's skiware | [38] |
Essential-Value-Essential-Quality | - | Unisex | Children's cheap, utilitarian 'good value' clothes | [39] |
'Living the Dream' | - | Boys | The successful (available online only) 'Living the Dream' Children's range of Lewis Hamilton, Heikki Kovalainen and Jenson Button memorabilia and merchandise. | .[40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47] |
Bridal and confirmation (Only available online) | - | Girls | Bridal and confirmation clothes | - |
World Cup\Football Shop | - | Boys | Periodical World cup and general footballing merabilia and merchandise for kids | [48][49] |
School | - | Unisex | School uniform, belts and bags | .[50][51] |
Fair trade | - | Unisex | Fair trade cotton socks from India, Morocco, Bulgaria and Senegal. | - |
Dress-up | - | Unisex | Fancy dress | [52] |
Plus fit | - | Unisex | large size children's clothes. | .[53][53][54][55] |
Character shop | - | Unisex | Children's cartoon heros' story books, merchandise and character clothing (like Dora the Explorer and Thomas the Tank Engine), etc. | [56] |
Living the dream
- The successful (online only) 'Living the Dream' children's range of Lewis Hamilton & Heikki Kovalainen memorabilia and merchandise was launched in September 2009.[40][41][42][43] Merchandise also relating to his fellow racing driver, Jenson Button was added to the range during April 2010.[44][45][46][47] Both were only available in bigger stores, but were only available on line in 2010.
World Cup
- World Cup (2002/2006/2010)- Periodical World cup (some media critics said Fascist) memorabilia and merchandise for kids.[48]
Plus fit
- Plus fit- Was launched in selected stores during July 2010 and are large sized children's clothes. It has proven to be a very popular line.[53][53][54][55]
Both Sleepware, Twinkle toes, Casual Junior, Partyware and Occasionwear were all merged in to either Occasions, Indigo Junior or Autograph Junior over the Festive season of 2010-2011.
Other babyware lines
M&S markets its miscellaneous and specialist babywear under the following brand names:
- Babywear - Unisex hats, gloves, socks, shoes and cot linen.
- Petite babe- Unisex small and premature babies.
- Pure cotton- As the name suggests, it's pure cotton unisex baby cloths.
Babywear was reduced to woolly hats, gloves, socks and bed linen- after its baby clothes, blanket sleepers, Romper suits, cot blankets, babies' bibs, non-woolly hats, socks and cot linen were turned in the Indigo Baby line in the January 2011.
Revamped lines
April 2013 saw the M&S lingerie chief, Janie Schaffer, quit after only months in the job.[57]
15 May 2013 saw the launch of the 'Best of British range' as well as the overhaul of Per Una and Indigo.[58] [59] Patrick Bousquet-Chavanne - currently M&S's corporate director of strategy implementation and business development became the new marketing director and wii succeed Steven Sharp in July. Mark Bolland also vowed to bring "quality and style back" [60][61][62]
The chain already has 20 UK suppliers and is looking to increase that number.[59]
Shoes
Men
- Collezione (men)
- Airflex (men)
Women
- Insola (women)
- Classic (women)
- Footglove (women)[63]
- Limited Collection (women)
- Per Una (women)
- Portfolio (women)
- Shoes, shoes, shoes (women) high-end shoes
Unisex
- Autograph (both sexes)[64]
- Wide Fit (both sexes), wide fitting shoes.
- Secret Support (both sexes), support shoes for weak feet.
Cosmetics, toiletries and perfumes
Men
- Harvard
- Autograph
- Autograph Sport
- Woodspice
- Blue Energy
- North Coast
- Formula For Men
- Timothy Everest
- Collezione
Women
- Isis (women)
- Tess Daly beauty (upmarket make up sets)
- Florentyna[65]
- Natural Beauty
- Earth Spa
- In-bloom
- Infusions
- Butterfly eau de toilet
- Royal jelly
- Ingredients
- Formula - skincare and suncare
- Cotton Collection[66] (toiletries and soaps).
- Floral collection[66] (toiletries and soaps).
- Beauty Care- Skin cream/pads.
Unisex
- Perfection (Autograph's & Per Una's perfumaries merged into one in early 2009)
- True red - seasonal toiletries
Branded cosmetics, toiletries and perfumery
Skincare [67]
- Sienna X
- Moroccan
- UltraSun
- H20 Plus
- NUXE
- Apivita
- REN
- Global Escape
- Royal Jelly
Make Up
- Hello Kitty
- Leighton Denny
- Purminerals
- Diego Dalla Palma
Bath & Body
- Philip Kingsley
- Floral Collection
- Roger & Dallet
Home
Interior design, kitchen equipment, bedding and furnishings
Brand | Line | Products | Source(s) |
---|---|---|---|
Kids' bedroom | - | Kids' furniture, especially bedroom stuff | [68] |
Furniture | - | Beds, sofas, tables, cupboards, bedroom suites, bathroom furniture, dining suites. | [69] |
Furniture | Alfresco | High-end garden furnishings | .[70] |
Soft furnishings | - | Cushions, throws, curtains table cloths. | - |
Soft furnishings | Supima | Pillows, bedding, sheets table cloths. | - |
Hard furnishings | - | Vases, glasswear, candles, plates, ornaments, lamp stands, lamp bulbs. | - |
Hard furnishings | Adente | Vases, candles, plates, cups, ornaments, lamp stands. | - |
Hard furnishings | Nouair | Vases, and plates. | - |
Hard furnishings | Ruge, | Vases, and plates. | - |
Hard furnishings | Manhattan, | Vases, and plates. | - |
Hard furnishings | Hamilton, | Vases, and plates. | - |
Kitchens | Lyon | Crockery, kitchen electrical, utensils, pans | .[71] |
Kitchens | Maxim | Crockery, kitchen electrical, utensils, pans | .[71] |
Bathrooms | - | Towels, linen baskets, accessories. | - |
Kitchens | Dine with me | Festive season wine glasess, plates and eating sets. | - |
Other products
Technology
In 2006 the company launched a range of domestic technology products. Over thirty-six stores offered this range. Additional services offered included television installation and technical help.[72] Satnav technology was launced in January 2010-[73]
- Technology - audio and visual equipment (TVs, DVD players, Blu-ray Players, games consoles, phones, W.A.P./mobile phones,[74] iPods and more), DVDs and Blu-rays, communication devices (telephones, mobiles etc.), household electricals, white goods. However Technology goods are now available only from the company's website after Marc Bolland's decision to close all in-store Technology departments in 2011.
M&S Energy In 2008 the company launched M&S Energy [75] (in partnership with Scottish & Southern Energy) providing Electricity and Gas for the Home. This was followed in February 2010 with Home Insulation.
- Travelware- The Lexington light and Ontario heavy luggage and Scorpius utility rollercase lines.
- Toy shop - Children's toys.[76][77][78][79][80]
- First reader- Young childrens' and toddlers' learning, story and fairy tail books.
Food and drink
Own branded food stuffs
Brand | Line | Products | Source(s) |
---|---|---|---|
Count on us | - | Diet food in general | - |
The cook range | - | Multi-ethinic Takeaway meals. | - |
The cook range | Cook Chinese | Ready-made Chinese takeaways. | - |
The cook range | Cook India | Ready-made Indian and takeaways. | - |
The cook range | Cook East | Ready-made Thai takeaways. | - |
Count on us | Simply Fuller, Longer | Specifically designed diet food to help you either lose or maintain weight. | [81] |
Simply Kids | - | Kids' biscuits, sweets and cakes | - |
Gastropub | - | ready meals inspired by pub cuisine for home cooking | [1][1] |
Gastropub | Bistro range | Bistro inspired ready meals. | - |
Gastropub | Lunchtogo | Upmarket and businessmens' grab bag and packed lunch meals. | .[82] |
Wise Buys | - | Discount and value food | - |
Fair trade | - | Fair trade food, tea, coffee and wine | - |
Free range | - | free-range eggs, Oakham chicken and field-bred pork. | [1] |
Percy Pig and Penny Pig/Colin the Caterpillar | - | Percy Pig and Penny Pig/Colin Caterpillar sweets | [1][2] |
Major brands
Free range
- Free range –- free-range eggs, Oakham chicken and field-bred pork. Oakham chicken is exclusive to M&S, and is not from the Rutland town of Oakham. Free-range eggs have been on sale since 1997 and M&S is deeply committed to upholding animal welfare.[1]
Gastropub
- Gastropub are ready meals inspired by pub cuisine for home cooking[1] It got a 'Golden pub-meal commendation' in 2005.[1]
- Lunchtogo - upmarket and businessmen's grab bag and packed lunch meals.[82] The 'Food to go line' was merged into it during the festive season of 2010–2011.
- Bistro range- A range of Bistro inspired meals launched during the festive season of 2010–2011.
Percy Pig
Percy Pigs is a popular brand of pig-shaped raspberry-flavoured confectionery made under licence in Germany for Marks & Spencer.[83][84] The sweets first appeared in stores in the mid-1990s. The name "Percy Pig" has now been trademarked by Marks & Spencer.[2] More than £10,000,000 was grossed between June 2009 and 2010 in Percy Pig sales in Marks & Spencer's UK branches alone.[2] They are made up of just under 3.5% fruit juice.[85]
Percy Pigs were created in 1995 and were sold in strawberry and raspberry flavours.[2] Until 2008, Percy Pigs were available in 100, 200 and 400 grams. The packaging has not changed size, but the middle size now contains 170 grams and the large size now contains 340 grams. There is also the related Colin the Caterpillar sweet that was first launched in the festive season of 2008–2009.
Alcohol
M&S has an extensive wine and beer range,[86] which was first started in 1973.[1]
In 2006 and 2007, M&S entered over a hundred of its own wines into two wine competitions, The Decanter World Wine Awards and The International Wine Challenge. Both years, almost every wine won an award, ranging from the 2005 Secano Pinot Noir, Leyda Valley, Chile (Best Pinot Noir in the world for under £10) to the Rosada Cava (Commended).[87]
- Alcohol M&S has an extensive wine and beer range,[86] which was first started in 1973.[1] In 2006 and 2007, M&S entered over a hundred of its own wines into two wine competitions, The Decanter World Wine Awards and The International Wine Challenge. Both years, almost every wine won an award, ranging from the 2005 Secano Pinot Noir, Leyda Valley, Chile (Best Pinot Noir in the world for under £10) to the Rosada Cava (Commended).[87]
- Beer - UK and EU-sourced beers.
- Wine – a worldwide selection of fine wine, including Chardonnay and Shiraz
Branded food products
- In November 2009, Marks & Spencer announced that it would begin selling up to 400 branded lines, such as Kellogg's & Heinz.[88] In November 2010 it was speculated that they may discontinue up to 300 of these branded products to push their brand further.[89]
Gift shop/Christmas gifts and ideas shop
The gift shop sells cut flowers, greetings cards, Christmas hampers, jewellery, watches and upmarket chocolates.[1][90] The 'Christmas gifts and ideas shop' is the Christmas version and sells gifts, toys and Christmas decorations. The online flower service was accused of unfair trading and using Google to piggy-back advertise on online searches aimed at Interflora online in 2010.[91]
M&S BANK
Formerly M&S Money, M&S has offered financial services including ISAs, loans, credit cards, car insurance and holiday insurance through its financial services department[92] since the 1980s. Since mid-2012 M&S has also offered two monthly paid for current account options. The current accounts offer a contactless Visa debit card designed by Conran, rewards and benefits including travel insurance, hot drinks vouchers and access to a high interest savings account.
M&S TV and online services
Products could be ordered online since the mid-2000s (decade), in response to some like Tesco launching their pioneering Tesco.com home shopping delivery service in the early 2000s (decade). Tesco, M&S and others are expanding rapidly in to this new niche market.
M&S TV is an online TV station to advertise goods.[93]
The online flower service was accused of unfair trading and using Google to piggy-back advertise on online searches aimed at Interflora online in 2010.[91]
The John Lewis shopping chain beat M&S to the title of the UK's best high-street website by late 2010.[94]
Former clothing ranges and product types
Old labels
'St Margaret', 'St Michael' and 'Homecare' brands were the time-honoured brand labels that fell out of use in the company wide re-branding campaign of the early 2000s (decade).[1] The stylish 1996–1997 'Orient Express Tagged' brand was the first of numerous new brands, most of which were in women's and children's clothes.[1] The 'Orient Express Tagged' brand[1] was revived in 2007 as the year long 'Orient Express Platform 10' brand[1] and was part of the inspiration behind the 'Portfolio' brand.[1] The men's Autograph brand was then launched in 2000[1] and continues to this day.[23][24][25][26]
Sir Stuart Rose axed both the ailing casual menswear brand SP Clothing, the View From sportswear range, the David Beckham children's range, DB07 clothes, the teenage range Per Una Due and several food lines in 2004, because he thought the business' stock inventory management had become 'too complicated',.[5][6][95]
The retailer had launched several brands, sub-brands and line of womenswear and Childrenswear in recent years such as Indigo Collection Junior, Indigo Collection and Portfolio. Indigo Collection aimed at women over 30s, while Portfolio 45s. Overall, M &S has ten womenswear sub-brands and sub-sub-brands, such as Per Una and Autograph, but only six menswear brands, such as Blue Harbour, North Coast and Collezione by 2010.[16]
The 2008-9 restructuring plan
As part of the 2008-9 restructuring plan, nine sub-brands deemed to be unprofitable, unnecessary or superfluous were either discontinued, merged or relaunched in 2008, with further activity, including some store closures, occurring in both 2009 and 2010.
- 'Conde Nast' (the M&S clothes, not Condé Nast Publications) designer clothes were a planned sub-brand that was not launched over the festive season of 2009–2010 because of the credit crunch and became part of the 'Indigo Collection' and 'Portfolio' lines.
- All the Kid's furniture (the 'Kid's bedroom' line), bedding and electronic toys (part of the 'Toy shop' brand) were re-grouped and expanded as the 'Kids at home' brand in January 2010,[96][97][98] but the merger had been repealed and broken back up by July 2010.[99]
- Perfection (Autograph's & Per Una's perfumeries merged into one in early 2009)
M&S also began to sell other branded goods like Kellogg's Corn Flakes from November 2008.[100] and may ditch its own branded food[101] in 2011 due to poor turn over beyond the 'Food to go', 'Lunchtogo' and 'Gastropub' lines.
The 2010 product audit
Another review and re-branding exercise was planned for late 2010 and 2011 after several years of declining sales in the womenswear department as born out by an audit conducted by the firm the Retail Knowledge Bank in the August 2010.
'PU Active' was a brief foray by Per Una in to the casual sportswear lines in the September 2010, but it was scrapped during its infancy by the October due to poor sales figures.
The '2011 brand cull'
Marc Bolland had considered axing several brands in early 2011 after an audit by the Retail Knowledge Bank in the August 2010, revealed that sales of M&S womenswear were at a ten-year low. The audit covered both the Limited Collection, Autograph, Autograph Weekend, Classic Collection, Per Una, Portfolio and Indigo.[6][102]
In the summer of 2010, Draper magazine claimed that Per Una was the only clothing brand that was not at risk of being axed in Mr Bolland's shake-up of the plethora of clothing brands sold at M&S.[16] Per Una was planned to stay due to its successful and distinctive flair, but Portfolio and Indigo were planned go due to poor sales.[6][102] The Limited Collection, Autograph, Autograph Weekend, Classic Collection brands were being considered for the cull during mid-2010, but were later given a reprieve.[103]
It was revealed in the November 2010, that there would be a major 3 year U.K. store revamp, which would cost between £850,000,000 and £900,000,000 and a cull of what Mr Bolland called "the often confusing" store layouts and "indistinguishable brands".[104][105]
M&S also announced it was planning to take over Twiggy's Twiggy international label some during the winter 2010–2011.[16]
The May–August 2011 Corporate revamp.
Fashion guru Sara Bradley was reported in March as planning to take a 'senior role' within M&S's clothing business by mid-2011.[106]
The firm's packaging, clothing brands and labels will change. The retailer has announced plans to abandon the "Marks & Spencer" label from its clothes, replacing it with "M&S Woman" and "M&S Man". It will also re-launch its Per Una and North Coast clothing sub-brands.[107]
The official goal was to be better at food than supermarkets and better at clothes and general merchandise than department stores.[108]
Alison Jones, who is the daughter of Sir David Jones, joined M&S on 2 June, as the new brand director for general merchandise, under the leadership of marketing director Steve Sharp. She had gained previous experience at Topshop and Debenhams. The role has been created to give a more cohesive approach to M&S's branding and help develop and co-ordinate the brand and strategy for M&S's clothing division.[109]
May 2013 revamp
15 May 2013 saw the launch of the "Best of British range" as well as the overhaul of Per Una and Indigo. [59] Patrick Bousquet-Chavanne - currently M&S's corporate director of strategy implementation and business development became the new marketing director and will succeed Steven Sharp in July. Mark Bolland also vowed to bring back "quality and style" [61][62][110]
See also
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Chislett, Helen (3 September 2009). Marks in Time: 125 Years of Marks & Spencer. Weidenfeld and Nicolson. ISBN 978-0-297-85873-7.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "High on the hog: How Percy Pig came to dominate the sweetie market, and win the nation's hearts". The Independent (London). 2010-06-06.
- 1 2 "Older Girls : Partywear : childrenswear : Marks & Spencer". Marksandspencer.com. Retrieved 2009-11-07.
- ↑ Julian Dunkerton, chief executive, SuperGroup (2010-09-23). "M&S launches new children’s wear collection". Just-style.com. Retrieved 2011-07-18.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 --://www.thisismoney.co.uk/news/article.html?in_article_id=512068&in_page_id=2
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Craven, Neil (2010-08-16). "Bolland's bonfire of the M&S brands". Daily Mail (London).
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Lingerie & Underwear : Womenswear : Marks & Spencer". Marksandspencer.com. Retrieved 2009-11-07.
- 1 2 "Tunics : Tops & T-Shirts : Women's : Marks & Spencer". Marksandspencer.com. Retrieved 2011-07-18.
- ↑ "Limited Collection : Men's : Marks & Spencer". Marksandspencer.com. Retrieved 2012-05-07.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Tunics : Tops & T-Shirts : Women's : Marks & Spencer". Marksandspencer.com. Retrieved 2011-07-18.
- 1 2 "M&S sales rise but Davies resigns". BBC News. 2005-10-11. Retrieved 2011-07-18.
- 1 2 "M&S completes Per Una purchase". BBC News. 2004-10-05. Retrieved 2011-07-18.
- ↑ -://www.affiliates4u.com/forums/buy/20035-m-s-per-una-due.html
- ↑ -://www.twenga.co.uk/dir-Fashion,Various-clothing-and-accessories,Jeans-40194
- ↑ "M&S and teenage frills | News". Thisislondon.co.uk. Retrieved 2011-07-18.
- 1 2 3 4 Hall, James (2010-10-30). "M&S plans to take Twiggy international". The Daily Telegraph (London).
- ↑ "Skirts : Women's : Marks & Spencer". Marksandspencer.com. Retrieved 2011-07-18.
- ↑ "Portfolio : Womenswear : Marks & Spencer". Marksandspencer.com. Retrieved 2009-11-07.
- ↑ "Linen Shop : Women's : Marks & Spencer". Marksandspencer.com. Retrieved 2011-07-18.
- ↑ "Portfolio : Women's : Marks & Spencer". Marksandspencer.com. Retrieved 2011-07-18.
- ↑ "Indigo Collection : Womenswear : Marks & Spencer". Marksandspencer.com. Retrieved 2009-11-07.
- ↑ "Indigo Collection : Womenswear : Marks & Spencer". Marksandspencer.com. Retrieved 2009-11-07.
- 1 2 3 "Autograph : Men's : Marks & Spencer". Marksandspencer.com. Retrieved 2011-07-18.
- 1 2 3 "Formal Shirts : Autograph : Men's : Marks & Spencer". Marksandspencer.com. Retrieved 2011-07-18.
- 1 2 3 "Suits : Autograph : Men's : Marks & Spencer". Marksandspencer.com. Retrieved 2011-07-18.
- 1 2 3 4 https://web.archive.org/20100928233852/http://corporate.marksandspencer.com:80/media/press_releases/product/Menswear/21092007_MSUnveilsCollectionbyMarkPowellforAutograph. Archived from the original on 28 September 2010. Retrieved 25 October 2010. Missing or empty
|title=
(help) - ↑ "Autograph : childrenswear : Marks & Spencer". Marksandspencer.com. Retrieved 2009-11-07.
- ↑ "M&S Linen - M & S Linens - Discover Folkestone - E&A Details". Discover Folkestone. Retrieved 2011-07-18.
- ↑ "Linen Shop : Women's : Marks & Spencer". Marksandspencer.com. Retrieved 2011-07-18.
- ↑ "Blue Harbour : Men's : Marks & Spencer". Marksandspencer.com. Retrieved 2011-07-18.
- ↑ "Sportswear : Women's : Marks & Spencer". Marksandspencer.com. Retrieved 2011-07-18.
- ↑ "Tops : Sportswear : Women's : Marks & Spencer". Marksandspencer.com. Retrieved 2011-07-18.
- ↑ "Maternity : Womenswear : Marks & Spencer". Marksandspencer.com. Retrieved 2009-11-07.
- ↑ "Socks : Socks & Hosiery : Womenswear : Marks & Spencer". Marksandspencer.com. Retrieved 2009-11-07.
- ↑ "Marks & Spencer". Marksandspencer.com. Retrieved 2011-07-18.
- ↑ "Collezione : Menswear : Marks & Spencer". Marksandspencer.com. Retrieved 2009-11-07.
- ↑ Archived 20 November 2010 at the Wayback Machine.
- ↑ "Marks & Spencer". Marksandspencer.com. Retrieved 2011-07-18.
- ↑ "Essential Value Essential Quality : Older Boys (6+ yrs) : Kids' : Marks & Spencer". Marksandspencer.com. Retrieved 2011-07-18.
- 1 2 "News : Pit-stop press! M&S launches ‘Living the Dream' boyswear collection". Lewis Hamilton.com. 2009-09-17. Retrieved 2011-07-18.
- 1 2 "News : Lewis, Heikki and M&S take over Westfields in London". Lewis Hamilton.com. 2009-09-19. Retrieved 2011-07-18.
- 1 2 "M&S Living the Dream featuring Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton". mirror.co.uk. Retrieved 2011-07-18.
- 1 2 "M&S Living the Dream featuring Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton". mirror.co.uk. Retrieved 2011-07-18.
- 1 2 Joe Thomas, marketingmagazine.co.uk, 8 April 2010, 09:15AM (2010-04-08). "M&S supports clothing range with Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button - Brand Republic News". Brandrepublic.com. Retrieved 2011-07-18.
- 1 2 Thomas, Joe (2010-04-08). "M&S supports clothing range with Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button - Marketing news". Marketing magazine. Retrieved 2011-07-18.
- 1 2 "Lewis Hamilton Biography : Living the Dream™ : OLD : Marks & Spencer". Marksandspencer.com. Retrieved 2011-07-18.
- 1 2 "Football Shop : OLD : Marks & Spencer". Marksandspencer.com. Retrieved 2011-07-18.
- ↑ "Football Shop : OLD : Marks & Spencer". Marksandspencer.com. Retrieved 2011-07-18.
- ↑ "Girls' Fashion Schoolwear - 2 Puff Sleeve Blouses - Marks & Spencer". Marksandspencer.com. Retrieved 2009-11-07.
- ↑ "2 Pack - Girls' Easy to Iron Revere Collar Blouses with Cap Sleeves - Marks & Spencer". Marksandspencer.com. Retrieved 2011-07-18.
- ↑ "Dressing Up : childrenswear : Marks & Spencer". Marksandspencer.com. Retrieved 2009-11-07.
- 1 2 3 4 http://findarticles.com/p/news-articles/mail-on-sunday-london-england-the/mi_8003/is_2010_July_25/supersize-school-uniforms-obesity-epidemic/ai_n54568822/. Missing or empty
|title=
(help) - 1 2 "M&S launches school-wear for obese kids, sells out". Thefamilygp.com. Retrieved 2011-07-18.
- 1 2 "M&S launches school-wear for obese kids, sells out". Health.virginmedia.com. Retrieved 2011-07-18.
- ↑ "Character Shop : childrenswear : Marks & Spencer". Marksandspencer.com. Retrieved 2009-11-07.
- ↑ "BBC News - M&S lingerie chief Janie Schaffer leaves after three months". Bbc.co.uk. 2013-04-16. Retrieved 2013-07-22.
- ↑ http://www.mirror.co.uk/money/city-news/marks-spencer-fashion-launch-slick-1889943
- 1 2 3 "Marks and Spencer fashion launch was slick but what matters is what core customers think: Graham Hiscott verdict - Graham Hiscott - Mirror Online". Mirror.co.uk. 2013-05-15. Retrieved 2013-07-22.
- ↑ "BBC News - M&S tries to boost sales with new clothing range". Bbc.co.uk. 2013-05-15. Retrieved 2013-07-22.
- 1 2 Emma Simpson (2013-05-14). "BBC News - M&S tries to lure back shoppers with new fashion ranges". Bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 2013-07-22.
- 1 2 "Marks and Spencer profits fall as clothing disappoints". BBC News. 21 May 2013.
- ↑ "Shoes : Womenswear : Marks & Spencer". Marksandspencer.com. Retrieved 2009-11-07.
- ↑ "Shoes : Menswear : Marks & Spencer". Marksandspencer.com. Retrieved 2009-11-07.
- ↑ "Beauty Gifts : Gift Shop old nodes : Gifting : Home & Furniture : 42964030 : Marks & Spencer". Marksandspencer.com. Retrieved 2011-07-18.
- 1 2 "Beauty Gifts : Gift Shop : Flowers & Gifts : Marks & Spencer". Marksandspencer.com. Retrieved 2009-11-07.
- ↑ Marks & Spencer April 2013 "New & Exclusive: M&S Beauty "
- ↑ "Bedroom Furniture : Kids' Bedroom : Home & Furniture : Marks & Spencer". Marksandspencer.com. Retrieved 2009-11-07.
- ↑ "Bedding Collections : Kids' Bedroom : Home & Furniture : Marks & Spencer". Marksandspencer.com. Retrieved 2009-11-07.
- ↑ "Marks & Spencer". Marksandspencer.com. Retrieved 2011-07-18.
- 1 2 "Saucepans : Saucepans, Pots & Pans : Kitchen : Home & Furniture : Marks & Spencer". Marksandspencer.com. Retrieved 2009-11-07.
- ↑ "TVs & Accessories : Technology : Marks & Spencer". Marksandspencer.com. Retrieved 2009-11-07.
- ↑ "Marks & Spencer". Marksandspencer.com. Retrieved 2011-07-18.
- ↑ . London http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2010/oct/22/microsoft-mobilephones. Missing or empty
|title=
(help) - ↑ "M&S Energy".
- ↑ "Kids' Toys & Games : Kidswear : Marks & Spencer". Marksandspencer.com. Retrieved 2009-11-07.
- ↑ "Play Toaster - Marks & Spencer". Marksandspencer.com. Retrieved 2009-11-07.
- ↑ "Meccano : Kids' Toys & Games : Kidswear : Marks & Spencer". Marksandspencer.com. Retrieved 2009-11-07.
- ↑ "Age 0-3 My 1st toys : Kids' Toys & Games : Kidswear : Marks & Spencer". Marksandspencer.com. Retrieved 2009-11-07.
- ↑ "Kids' Toys & Games : Kids' : Marks & Spencer". Marksandspencer.com. Retrieved 2011-07-18.
- ↑ "Simply Fuller Longer : Our Healthy Ranges : M&S Health & Nutrition : Marks & Spencer". Health.marksandspencer.com. Retrieved 2011-07-18.
- 1 2 "Lunchtogo : Marks & Spencer". Marksandspencer.com. Retrieved 2009-11-07.
- ↑ "Marks and Spencer Percy Pig sweets 170g bag Britstore". Britstore.co.uk. Retrieved 2011-07-18.
- ↑ "Nee Naw - The Percy Pig Incident". Neenaw.co.uk. Retrieved 2013-04-28.
- ↑ http://www.Stinerland.co.de/blog/percy-pigs-contains-actual-pig/
- 1 2 "Wine : Food & Wine : Marks & Spencer". Marksandspencer.com. Retrieved 2009-11-07.
- 1 2 "Decanter World Wine Awards 2007". Decanter.com. Retrieved 2011-07-18.
- ↑ Kollewe, Julia (2009-11-04). "Marks and Spencer profits edge up but says consumer confidence still fragile". The Guardian (London).
- ↑ Wearden, Graeme (2010-11-09). "Marks & Spencer to revamp stores and push own brand". The Guardian (London).
- ↑ "Flowers & Gifts : Marks & Spencer". Marksandspencer.com. Retrieved 2009-11-07.
- 1 2 "Interflora sues Marks & Spencer over Google ad links". BBC News. 2010-10-13.
- ↑ "M&S Money - Credit Cards, Insurance, Savings and Loans". Money.marksandspencer.com. Retrieved 2011-07-18.
- ↑ "M&S TV : Marks & Spencer". Marksandspencer.com. Retrieved 2011-07-18.
- ↑ Bold, Ben (2010-10-19). "John Lewis beats M&S as UK's best high-street website - Marketing news". Marketing magazine. Retrieved 2011-07-18.
- ↑ Timberland CEO Jeffrey Swartz. "Sir Stuart hands over golden baton". Just-style.com. Retrieved 2011-07-18.
- ↑ StyleJunkee: Fashion. Beauty. Homes. (2010-01-20). "‘Kids at Home’ launches at Marks and Spencer | Sonorika.com". Style.sonorika.co.uk. Retrieved 2011-07-18.
- ↑ "Marks & Spencer". Marksandspencer.com. Retrieved 2011-07-18.
- ↑ "Kids' Bedroom : Kids' : Marks & Spencer". Marksandspencer.com. Retrieved 2011-07-18.
- ↑ "Kids' Bedroom : Kids' : Marks & Spencer". Marksandspencer.com. Retrieved 2011-07-18.
- ↑ Graham Hiscott. "Marks and Spencer to start selling top brands". mirror.co.uk. Retrieved 2011-07-18.
- ↑ http://www.ausfoodnews.com.au/2010/10/19/marks-and-spencer-may-cut-sales-of-name-brands.html. Missing or empty
|title=
(help) - 1 2 Neil Craven (2010-08-15). "M&S clothing brands set for overhaul". This is Money. Retrieved 2011-07-18.
- ↑ Julian Dunkerton, chief executive, SuperGroup (2010-08-17). "Bolland review to streamline M&S clothing brands?". Just-style.com. Retrieved 2011-07-18.
- ↑ "2nd UPDATE: Marks & Spencer Gets UK Makeover". The Wall Street Journal. 2010-11-09. Archived from the original on 12 November 2010.
- ↑ Potter, Mark (2010-11-09). "UPDATE 5-Marks & Spencer's new CEO lifts investment". Reuters.
- ↑ Neil Craven (5 March 2011). "Asda is rocked as M&S snatches its new fashion guru". The Daily Mail (UK). Retrieved 18 April 2011.
- ↑
- ↑ Reece, Damian (2011-05-25). "Marks & Spencer needs to show its future is in retail". London: Telegraph. Retrieved 2011-07-18.
- ↑ Hall, James (2011-06-02). "Marks & Spencer poaches Arcadia marketing director". London: Telegraph. Retrieved 2011-07-18.
- ↑ "BBC News - M&S tries to boost sales with new clothing range". Bbc.co.uk. 2013-05-15. Retrieved 2013-07-22.