General Chat

The store has announced its worst clothing sales for years,and it's genearally felt that it needs a shake-up.
Are you an M&S shopper? Do you think they've lost their way, and how do you think they could improve things?
I still shop there, butfind it harder to find what I like to wear.

I wish they would cater for the older shopper who perhaps is willing to pay a little bit more for clothes that they are not going to cast off after a short period.

I have recently bought and given up on numerous pairs of their black trousers. Time was, even though I have grown outwards, when you could buy quality black trousers that were economical because they lasted.

I remember lovely wool dresses, skirts and coats too.

They can still keep their younger range but I think they would make a lot of money if they went back to quality classic clothes instead of all this polyester.

I think I ranted a bit there. Sorry.

Vera

I still shop there but I think they have lost their way catering to much for the younger ones I tried to get a white jacket for a wedding there on Friday could not get one had to go to bon marche,but apart from that prices are to high. Food very good

there are M&S people ,people that buy from there in principle. and there are people that buy the odd thing there.

Die hards will always buy their underwear there, just because...
Other will buy if the particular item warrents the expense
Others wont buy there because its too expensive.

Once upon a time M&S competed, they dont now. Speaking as one that likes her whites white, i'd buy my undies at tesco and ditch them when they go off colour because they are so much cheaper.

The die hards are a dying breed.

I agree with Vera, I think the durability of their clothes has gone downhill.

Plus you could once rely on them for 'classic' staples, but no longer. :-(

Yes Penny I think I am one of those die hards with regards to trousers. Maybe if I want better quality I should look at John Lewis but then they are too expensive. I will cast my eye around Next maybe. Inexpensive and chuck out maybe an option if I can bother with the hassle of frequent shopping

Vera

Missed you there Kucinta. I think those days are long gone. We will have to look elsewhere.

Vera

I agree with what has been said, especially about catering more for the older shopper. There is still a stigma among the younger shoppers, who don't want to go into their stores, let alone wear the clothes. They should give up tryng to woo them, and concentrate on the people who do want to shop there.
I find myself going to Debenhams much more these days.

I still shop at M & S for clothes and food and household items - in fact today I am wearing a per una cardigan and blouse, briefs and tights - I absolutely love their per una range and I'm no youngster

my one complaint is that their sizing is all to cock - I always wore medium size trousers, now short are too long and it's not me shrinking - well not that much anyway :-D

Ann

The last pair of trouisers I bought Medium (which used to be regular) were too short and I'm not growing. I have a per una mac but its a plain beige one. Maybe I need to change my look and stop being so dogged. I sometimes do that and count how many items I have on from M&S. Usually from bottom to top. Time for a change methinks.

Vera

I think a lot of things are outdated, I agree with another comment nothing much for the older group, also their stuff seems to be all over the place.

Ann, yes, I like the Per Una range, which does seem to have improved lately. It was originally designed for the young market, but actually appeals more to the 50 pluses.
Their sizing is terrible, and very inconsistant across ranges.

Racks of clothes packed in too tightly, fight to get item out.
Not a lot of room in aisles anymore - not in the ladies anyway.

Nothing with a made in britian label - well last three items we bought all made in Far East.

I used to love their tailored, 'no fuss' clothes - where are they?

The youngsters will not go there. Have four mid twenties in our family and they all dress pretty conservatively but not M & S.

Because we are old does not mean to say we do not like bright or pastel shades. I have never, even when young, been abled to wear black, navy, brown, purple etc.

When a retailer stops listening to its customers - it is in trouble. No point in trying to sell an item that no one wishes to buy.

we have an out of town M & S - it is massive, underground car parking, silver service restaurant - extremely spacious and a pleasure to shop in

I shop there a lot but I think they should stop trying to appeal to teenager and young twentys, they prefer shops like Zara. I think a lot of youngsters still buy their underwear there, especially the sports underwear. They always seem though to have a lot of the more garish bras lefdt over when the sales come round, maybe if people want bras in the bright colours they go to upmarket underwear shops.

their tights are still good though and their knickers, and there is a good selection of styles.

I am not sure that people want all the bright designs of tops, some of them are quite garish and although not cheap they look cheap.

I still like their T shirts, I was at one of their very large stores last weekend and they had a great choice of colours of plain T shirts. I bought a nice white one which was only £7.50 which I thought was good as it is excellent quality.

Trousers are more of a problem these days as they need to be tried on. I have both short and medium in the wardrobe, some medium taken up, some not, I am five foot two and a half. I always used to buy regulsr length and never needed to try on.

My other whinge is over the classic range trousers. Why do they stitch the crease in down the front, are we too old to be able to press a crease in. I call them old lady's trousers, although I do have a couple of pairs bought in sales as they are good around the house and have slight elastication in the waist.

And shoes, ok lots of people like high heels but some of us like the ballerina style flat shoes, but when I try them on I walk out of them because the front is too low, I dislike shoes that show the tops of your toes, they need to come up half an inch or so.

However, I do still shop there and can usually find something in the casual wear. for anything else I would go to House of Frazer, or Debenhams.

Why do they have racks of bras and knickers so near to the floor? Find myself almost crawling on my hands and knees to find what I want! :-S

Yes shoes! What happened to their lovely loafters. Used to be in that soft leather and have a nice heel not a rubber wedge. Have been searching for a black pair for ages. Plenty in some shops but the cost is astronomical,

I resorted only last week to two pairs of comfort trousers with the sewn in front crease. Nice and comfortable if you cover up the elasticated waist.

M&S profits would soar if they only listened to us.

Vera

I have always shopped in Marks, in fact was there yesterday and summer ranges have started to come in. Remarked to OH that I thought everything was frumpy, I love Per Una but that was even worse.

I need a new handbag last year they were really nice, but again even ones that were £89 were still old fashioned.

Carol

What is it with M & S T-shirts?

Why are the sleeves so short? I don't want them down to my elbows, but I don't want cap-sleeves either.

Also why does the body 'twist' when you wash them?

I find their sizing haywire, once you could guarantee that you would be the same size in all their styles, but not now! I always have a problem with t-shirts being too skimpy on the shoulders, if I go up sizes, they're too big elsewhere :-D. (This isn't just a problem with M&S, have found it in loads of places). I still buy the odd thing in there but not much these days.