Autumn clothes in M and S in July

Silly you! Surely you know by now - you buy your summer clothes at Christmas - and just hope you don't gain/loose weight by summer!

Poor old M&S. After the coldest Spring for decades, the latest start to Summer ever and racks of summer stuff simply not selling, when do they choose to "launch" their Autumn collection? The 2013 heatwave of course (all 2 weeks of it if we are lucky) They just can't win.

Although they don't have much that appeals to me in their shops I had a look at their website today and there were lots of things I'd be tempted to buy.

All the big department stores in Liverpool & Chester have their Autumn stock in now,DD was looking for some crop pants and couldn't find any but she could find loads of winter coats and boots.

... and M&S have racks of school unifrom ...state schools haven't even broken up yet!

I noticed this in M & S yesterday. I don't want to look at all those greys and blacks when we've got such lovely sunshine.

I'm absolutely fed up with being a customer and not being able to buy what I would like e.g./ cotton or linen in the height of summer, holiday clothes ,sandals and so on.I have actually phoned customer services of M and S to complain and sent a reply to one of their marketing messages.Their answer is that it is the retail world.Well they can have their retail but until they give customers what they want they will continue to lose money.Can't we start a petition or do a mass contact ?I know I shall not be buying thick yeti=like sweaters or even a fur coat for a little girl.!!I am sure this happens earlier and earlier every year.It's a great business opportunity for someone to open a clothes shop selling what we want .,when we want it.

Horrible colours this year

Mysterious isn't it, the retail world. Other stores had their summer sales in July I suppose. M and S have ever really got the idea of sales but they feel that they are competing with the other stores for those people who are out shopping for their autumn wardrobe during August. School uniforms I get - but are the shops really full of people shopping for winter clothes in August?
Then they have to clear the stores by about 1st Nov to fill them with acres of boring black party dresses and children's clothes with appliquéd reindeer. Sigh.
(someone who worked for M and S once explained to me that the way they account for stock does not encourage heavy discounting in Sales and does encourage stashing unsold clothes in stockrooms. Don't know if that has changed?)

How long till the "C" word makes an appearance? Another month?

Actually someone in customer services did say that C would be introduced IN SEPTEMBER.Now how about that.?
I really do think though that as customers we should tell them and other stores exactly what we think and what we would like.What has happened to the saying "the customer is always right "? If we just put up with it nothing will change.

There is an identical thread on Mumsnet. Apparently M and S don't listen to them either so you have to wonder who M and S think their customers are.
I was hoping to get some shorts and summer tops in the UK next week, what are my chances?

Try John Lewis.
It was quite funny recently on the hottest day of the year watching hairy sweaters being put out.
Does anyone remember the shareholder who spoke out at a meeting about why she couldn't find anything to wear at M and S. They didn't listen to her and now we have the monthly sales of clothes that no one really wants.Teenage girls WILL NOT shop where their aunts, grans or next door neighbours go.Why keep trying to design for them and at the same time ignore what was once your core of loyal customers.

My DDiL was complaining of exactly the same thing in the USA stores last week - could not find any shorts and it has been hotter than Europe where they are.

Absolutely absurd. I've just worked out that we will be going to Northern Laos in February so I thought I might buy a few things like cargo pants to vary the photos. I've been wearing the same things in hot climate photos for years and am embarrassed to show them ..my sun hat I bought in NZ eight years ago and although squashed is always resurrectable. I could buy a fur edged poncho in M&S and black just about anything. I'm going online to see if there is anything left.

Try an outdoor shop maybe? I bought some lightweight Craghoppers trousers that are extremely comfy (stretchy but don't look it)

This week I have resorted to buying unworn items from ebay. Plenty of choice and cheap, cheap, cheap!

The M&S store in Cardiff is full of bright summer clothes. The fault lies in the quality of the fabric - too many cheap imports which only look good for the first few times articles are worn. Once clothes are washed, they look faded and limp. Bring back British quality to our shops, even if things cost more.

I hear the one in town has had a facelift.

Our marks & Spencer is also full of pretty , cheerful Summer wear !!

Half our store seemed to be full of black trousers - how many styles can there be???? And they've still got the nasty plastic belts everybody hates!