Never Would We Have Predicted This Year's Ago...

[MissTerious]

https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/business/marks-and-spencer-closing-quarter-of-large-stores-9325360

[MissTerious]

East anglia news but it will be countrywide.

[emmie]

perhaps you are right, but they haven't moved with the times, and their clothing ranges don't always go down well with women and men these days. I feel sorry for them, they have been a stalwart of the high street, but no longer sadly.

[MissTerious]

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2022/oct/12/ms-to-close-one-in-four-bigger-stores-selling-clothing-and-homeware

[bhg481]

We feel that M&S made the mistake of trying to court the "bright young things" at the expense of ignoring the old fogies who'd shopped there for years. The bright young things didn't take the bait and the old fogies found they weren't catered for any more, leaving them losing customers.

[barry1010]

I read about it yesterday https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-63224269
Can't say I'm surprised after the closure of Debenhams and other department stores.
I see they plan to increase their food outlets.

[MissTerious]

I don't even buy their underwear anymore. The used to be known for quality, but not now. We don't have one anywhere near. There food may be good, but it's overpriced!

[barry1010]

They have been my saviour over the years. I could rely on them to sell trousers in my length when no other high street store did and I believe they were the first major retailer to sell suit jacket and trousers separately, a real boon for me.
They were also one of the first to sell shirts in different body/sleeve lengths.
No doubt they will still be selling clothing and household goods online.

[barry1010]

I don't think their food is overpriced. It is not the cheapest but the quality is definitely there.

[MissTerious]

Hi bhg. I'm an old fogey who hated their boring clothes!

[emmie]

i used to find their clothes fitted once upon a time, but not now.

[MissTerious]

But I do miss British Home Stores!

[bhg481]

Hi missy - I only buy boring clothes, so they suited me.

[emmie]

and not just because i have got bigger, their sizing is all over the shop....

[youngmafbog]

Never used them since they refused my credit card as they would only use their own. Probably 30 years now.

It's arrogance like that which is costing them now. As pointed out above, like the BBC Radio, they are courting the younger generation who will never shop there. Why would they when they have plenty of choice already that delivers what they want and in the case of Primarni at the right price.

As always, know your market or go bust, which unless they change pretty quickly they will.

John Lewis will be next.

[youngmafbog]

//their sizing is all over the shop....//

Dont they put all sizes together for a particular item? How odd. No wonder they are struggling.

[MissTerious]

Bhg, I'm sure you're not boring ;o) just sophisticated.

[bhg481]

Back in the day people bought quality clothes and made them last. The current generation seem to buy wear-once clothes, so price is more important than quality and firms producing quality goods struggle/fail.

[barry1010]

John Lewis has already closed 16 stores due to lockdown but have stated they will not be closing anymore. They are doing well at the moment
"The partnership achieved record sales of £4.93 billion, with like-for-likes up 8% against last year, even with 10 weeks of shop closures during Covid lockdowns."
https://www.retailgazette.co.uk/blog/2022/03/john-lewis-boss-no-more-store-closures-despite-soaring-online-sales/#:~:text=John%20Lewis%20Partnership%20has%20revealed,shop%20closures%20during%20Covid%20lockdowns.

[jno]

I don't mind boring clothes, but I mostly buy food from them, so I suppose I won't be much affected. The food tends to be more expensive than the likes of Tesco but generally better.

[MissTerious]

I only buy clothes online now. I haven't been in a clothes shop for many years. Besides that I can't manage in clothes shop and I hate shopping.