The Decline of Marks & Spencer Clothing

They have a name and fame but no gain.

10-15years ago every chain sold different fashion. M&S was known for their workwear suits, wool and lingerie. To others you used to go to buy different product. Now you go to zara, m&s, miss selfridge new look and primark and see the same skirt in the same shape,fabric,print,colour. The only difference is the price. We all sell the same things on high street, we dont create any longer we copy and it is not fun. Why would m&s want to be zara?! There is nothing good about zara, badly fitting clothes, bad make, shouting about sustainability, but it is really sustainable? All brands should stay true to their heritage and build on top of it. Believe me there is still plenty of people who wants to buy 100% woolen coat at high street, but you cant find it !

Today, technology has made everyone a merchant. We no longer donate or throw away our old clothes....we sell them and those sales have impacted traditional retainers. And on the flip side, it is no longer taboo to purchase used clothing. It’s a whole new game and the old model of slashing prices and gutting the vendor no longer works.

Hard comments ... this is not quick to happen it has been in the making for years . It’s not just about product it’s about proposition . The required demand for all its core categories is shrinking and customers expectations for the offer and price ha e changed what it was once in its heyday it will not be again as that is not the most relevant need . They were strong when they innovated that commanded the value expectation . But that was matched with boring proposition and environment . They could have an opportunity to evolve now but do need to think much bigger . Neil and Mark challenged a supply chain that was bloated and not offering best value to the end customer how can a retailer buy from businesses that themselves have to return results to stock exchanges .... there are some good people there but it does need a rethink and much more modern approach . JLP and next have eroded the share but equally they are experiencing tough conditions to stay relevant . They need to set a roadmap for transformation . They are the only retailer who delivers food , clothing home and beauty with one single brand . They have the opportunity to communicate turkey with one message and look to how they use their space to create relevance .

One last point. We textile professionals sometimes tend to forget that clothing has lost its priveleged rank in the list of needs and desires. Very few people buy a coat because they have nothing to wear or because winter is around the corner. They buy because a certain garment thrills them. The consumer electronics industry and the travel industry have done a much better job than us exciting people . No surprise here that the center of attraction in the garment industry in the last two decades has shifted from UK Sweden and Netherlands to the Mediterranean Boring quality vs fast fashion every two weeks