M & S Food outlets

Don't buy much anymore. Sometimes there is nothing in the enormous store that I like. If I do see something, I make a note of the code and wait for the 20% offer to happen. It annoys me so much that they overprice in the first place just so they can do promotions where they actually charge you the more realistic price. Do they think we are idiots?

'Classic clothes in better fabrics' sounds hopeful, but wait! Have you seen the prices of their 'Best of British' range? And, frankly, they don't look so very special. I still buy my underwear and nightwear from M&S though.

I have just had a little sneaky look at M&S clothes and then a quick look at Sainsbury's TU range which gets plaudits from the fashion press. I couldn't see a lot of difference except a much lower price from TU. I can see why they say the Supermarkets are taking over the low to middle part of the market.

I have not really looked at the clothes as I use C&A
felice I was sorry when C&A closed down here

Anno just has a look. More of the same in dull colours, uninspiring styles and a very odd pair of bright blue short trousers.

Wouldn't buy anything in that range. It is so not what is wanted from a classical range. Can they not take a look at Italian fashion as an example?

My mum likes the elasticated waist trousers, but she is 94, do you think this is their target age group?

That age group in a peculiar mix with Alexa Chung


I still have (amongst other stuff):
C&A snow boots (must be at least 15 years old and filched from DD)
BHS cotton trousers (last years - M&S had none)
CC tops and trousers - CC is now defunct too
Penny Plain jacket, dress, skirts (disappeared from the internet)

I bought some M&S indigo jeans earlier in the year, they did fit nicely when I tried them on so I picked up another pair (there were no more indigo ones on the rack so picked up a slightly lighter shade, same 'brand' same size, same leg length. The second pair don't feel comfortable at all. ).

C&A are still on the continent if you go there and still good value

Another factor against M&S is their store are said to be dated and unappealing. Harsh lights, no music, nowhere to sit.
Mind you, this is my pet bugbear. Have you noticed that retailers do not want you to sit and survey their goods? Recently, in Debenhams (another one struggling) Men's department there was absolutely nowhere for the wife/partner to sit. Now the young may laugh at this, but remember the spending power of the grey pound and if stores are not physically congenial to the middle aged and elderly, they alienate them. With most people now using online sites whether big-time (me) or small time, physical stores will have to up their act and make nicer and more comfortable places to visit. I noted that M&S coffee bar (another success for them) had over-spilled with tables amongst the Christmas stuff; what a good idea!

I read today in The Sunday Times magazine that John Lewis recognising that they are needing to change and update their stores in order to stop falling profits and excite and engage the customer- M & S take note. I went in the central Birmingham store a few weeks ago, you think this would be a flagship store and it was dull and depressing and looked much as it did 20 years ago but without the quality and style in the clothing sections. They get menswear almost right why cant they do women's wear?

I love M & S, food is outstanding & quality is superb, even DD has started to buy fruit from there as it keeps better than any other supermarket, not as expensive as Farm Shops.

I always go to M & S first for clothes, Jeggings are brilliant, haven't needed to go in for t-shirts this year, bought some nice jumpers last year. We also have an outlet shop in nearest large town, I've had some lovely bargains. As a size 22 most other store are no use to me & I'm not keen on Evans.

Home Department is fantastic - I've bought furniture from them, towels, sheets etc.

Don't think it's for every-one, we all have different tastes

Legs55 you obviously have the legs for jeggings!!

I disagree about their staff. I have found them to be really helpful & willing to go out of their way to help. When my friend broke down while trying to find a pair of black trousers for her husband's funeral they were outstanding. So very kind.
Last week I was trying to find a top I had seen in another branch that did not have my size & I could not see it online ( because it wasn't on their site!). An assistant spent ages looking for it & looked online too. Unfortunately there was no sign of it & I couldn't get it. This would not have happened a couple of years ago. Management deluded but staff excellent- well in Surrey anyway.

I bought a swimsuit with a tummy control panel in M&S and it doesn't work...!

After looking for ages among a huge array of trousers, I finally bought a nice pair of trousers,from M+S, look like jeans but are a lovely soft fabric, and they actually fit me with the shorter length.I always find what I want in Bon Marche they are for mature ladies like ourselves, but where we live the Bon Marche closed down. I think M+S are too expensive.

I've been an M&S fan for years but don't seem to buy clothes there anymore. This year I liked the look of one their parkas and ordered it in an 18 and a 20 to try for size. They were huge - vast. I went down to a 16 and that was too big to be flattering too. I gave up. It's not just their styles it's their sizing.So unreliable.
However I'd be really sad if they departed this life.
Perhaps they should retrain or change their buyers - have fewer lines - look at what does sell well each year and build up from there.
On the plus side I find their staff friendly, helpful and engaging. They employ older people too. Their food lines are a bit pricey but are quality. They've pitched that right.
Perhaps they should be alerted to this thread.

If they did online food delivery I'd get all my food from them

The kindness/niceness of staff depends on where you live.

I realy like M&S food too ( most people do) but have to say that their ready meal of Mash is ghastly, tastes like Smash!

We are big buyers of m and s clothing but as you all say, staff not interested and shops all vastly understaffed even before the seasonal rush and they don't ever look at their local clientele to see what might be good for their specific stores. In BX they are sitting on a potential goldmine if only they'd listen to local needs but....
However I would miss them if they went under but as you say, they do seem to have lost the plot badly

What's BX?

Theses days you are only as good as your product. If no-one wants your stuff its good-night and goodbye. A bit like the business of football.

M&S have become soooo boring,however i did buy a bag within a bag in the summer. The useful bag inside the large shoulder bag was attached by hooks and could easily be removed to use as a clutch in the evenings. Brilliant for holidays. Also saw some lovely boiled wool jackets.

My husband no longer buys his trousers from M&S because they have made their pockets so short that everything falls out!!

I only buy bras once every 3 years and my food comes from Lidle and Aldi so they don't get much out of me.

I used to enjoy Per Una and once upon a time it was tops and skirts for work.

Somehow they lost direction. I did go to Next for a time but even that no longer appeals. I used to get my grand daughters clothes there for sending to Australia but last year as she is 14 they said I would have to look at their mail order catalogue and I found nothing worth while in it. Do hope M&S won't do the same.

I am snug as a bug in a rug today - a grey, wet, cold, typical November Sunday - wearing my latest M&S acquisition with dark indigo jeans over a long sleeved T shirt (as I was afraid it might itch, but so far so good.) Others may not agree with my taste but it has been favourably commented on and I love it!

Yes, very nice. How much?