M&S closures

I agree with you,*janieuk*.
I’m afraid they’ve lost their way.

They are cutting out all the ‘dead wood’ so anywhere that doesn’t do well will go.Sound business I suppose.
There are still many M&S stores that will stay.

To be honest, M&S was always my shop of last resort. I always thought that their clothes were designed for women 20 years my senior. Then one day I realised I was 70 and still thinking that.

But I was given an M&S voucher 8 or 9 years ago so bought some clothes there. I was really disappointed by the poor quality of the garments I bought. A Tshirt that went transparent when wet, a knitted jacket that started pilling in weeks, trousers that lost all their body and shape within 2 washes.

I am not likely to miss them if they close all their stores and disappear like BHS

Fortunately I live between 2 major branches and 2 Food so it won't impact too much. Still have the same message to them "You've veered away from your core customers aka middle aged and above" All the blurb I receive from them shows young things, very slim in clothes which I'm never going to buy, When will they get real?

We are not, it seems, going to lose our branches, but I cannot but agree that the quality, and more importantly, the cut, of their clothes is poor these days. It used to be my ‘go to’ store for trousers because their short fit were perfect for me, but now they never seem to hang properly. Some of them look almost like jodhpurs - they seem to bulge on the side seam. What’s that all about?

I am just sad that it is one more nail in the coffin of our previously busy and vibrant high streets.

As far as M&S go, I love their fresh food - always get good quality fruit, veg and meat. Clothing is mixed - their jeans fit me like a glove, but I think some of their designers must live in a different universe.

If only M & S had listened to Gransnetters - we have been telling them for years what's wrong.

I think they're trying too hard to appeal to young people and that's just not going to work. They can't please everyone and the result is, they don't please anyone.

They should have stuck to pleasing us!

I just wish they could get the basics right. But they never do. As a result I buy practically everything from Land's End.

Is there a list anywhere of stores that are closing? Actually, in their defence, I'm pleasantly surprised by some of their summer clothes this year.

I'm quite lucky with M&S usually. However, I only like natural fabrics and so many of their 'fashion' items are pretty nasty material.
I've been very happy with their online ordering recently. There seems to be much more variety and they can whiz things to my local shop very quickly. I think they'll do fine in the long run once they've repositioned. They still made eye-watering profits don't forget!

I have just taken a picture of my lower half wearing new M & S trousers (size 10) which are bulging at the thighs - the jodhpur look! I'm going to send it to them, bemoaning the fact that this has been the case with dozens of pairs I've tried in their stores. They just don't get it right. I'm obviously not the only one!

I know of at least one local council which is buying the premises of its local M&S so that, by keeping the rent low, it will be prevented from closing. This M&S is the "flagship" store of what used to be a busy town centre shopping area but lost Woolworths, BHS and about half of the small shops so the loss of M&S would virtually kill it off.

Clothes showing midriff, split sleeves , low neckline and trailing hems , look beautiful on teenagers but not so good with my crepey cleavage , thickening waistline and the trailing hemlines make me look like a bag lady .
M&S used to do fabulous British made clothes , smart and well finished . BHS gave them some competition in the past , so they had to be on their toes .
Nowadays they are very complacent and I'm rarely tempted to buy anything .
Yes I'll be losing my store ,and I
doubt I'll miss it

I haven't shopped in M&S for about two years, the clothes are poor quality and the sizes unreliable.

The problem is Primark, everyone goes there, I think it is the throwaway society. Wear a couple of times and dump and M&S are trying to compete with that.

I have been in Primark a few times and walked out it is like a jumble sale. Although everyone buys stuff there.

M&S no longer have cotton items, they used to have lovely cotton summer sweaters, then they stopped Merino winter jumpers. Also their skirts used to be lined they are no longer. As I say they are trying to match Primark instead of upgrading.

Totally agree Teetime they are not asking the right people. Being only 5 ft 2in their trousers have always fitted, now, its a definite no no, still looking to replace some. Has anyone any ideas where from.?

It is a shame - I hope they pull through. My main criticism was that all their most beautiful dresses were created for the tall ladies amongst us - I'm only 5ft 2" and so couldn't wear them. The petite range was dull and limited.

Yes finding it difficult to find anything in Marks and Sparks.
Do like there long sleeved t shirts and short sleeved ones, underwear was ok, but not so much now.
Must admit I love the food always buying the meal for 2 got one the other week, £10. With a bottle of wine, which was nice. We have just had a new one open near the 02 in Greenwich plus Sainsbury’s next door, some nice clothes in there.

They need to get back to the drawing board . Starting with the age range and what we like. We are working longer and have money to spend.so listen m&s stop trying to gain younger market.

I imagine online buying is affecting M&S, like most shops in retail areas. It doesn't matter how upmarket the town, it seems shops are closing, to be replaced by charity shops or cheap fly-by-night sellers offering shoddy/tacky goods.

I liked M&S quality but as others have said, they've retained their more expensive prices but the quality of their clothes had deteriorated and doesn't seem to have a market. Slavishly following trends doesn't work if they are hoping slightly more affluent, slightly older people will buy their clothes. An M&S T shirt made with that awful elastane/lycra (so it's a tighter fit and clings to every lump, bump and any bit of body fat - a dreadful trend) isn't likely to appeal to an older woman (especially if it costs £6 more than the one in the shop next door) but a well cut cotton one will and can justify a higher price. Those days have gone. M&S needs to decide who it's catering for.

I love M&S Food Halls though.

Having seen pictures of their latest "must have" summer dress I am not surprised. It looks like a badly made dressing gown and hangs like a sack on all the models, from size 10 to size 16. (sorry can't do links but if you can bring yourself to log onto the dreaded DM website it is on there!)

janieuk I agree. They missed the point years ago and the quality dropped by miles.
Even underpants are better from Tesco/Sainsburies/Asda!

Sainsburys TU range is good, but like most stores, buyers seem shy of buying clothes in sizes over a 16. Their sales feature racks and racks of clothes in sizes 8 and 10!

When will buyers notice that larger clothes fly off the racks and they should stock more?