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RE: Why are M&S trading results so low?

qwer — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 10:17:50 GMT

The above post is absolute rubbish, the current M&S management under Stuart Rose has rejuvinated the M&S brand and has spearheaded the revival of Mark's and Spencer. I suggest the author only posts, when he/she knows what they are talking about.

Furthermore, in relation to the M&S trading figures, there were a number of reasons for the disappointing results, that were applicable to most retailers, not just M&S.

With the impact of the credit crunch and interest rates, there has been a slowdown across the whole of retail, with many retailers, NEXT, DSG etc... warning of the challenging period.

At the same time, there was strong deflation across the market, as one post i think was attempting to say - more products were sold than in the previous 6 quarters, however due to the deflation, these were lower sales. It has nothing to do with bad management, and I would be extremely surprised if the management didn't turnaround these results.

RE: Why are M&S trading results so low?

Big mama — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 12:54:50 GMT

With regards to M&S getting poor sales i've got two words :

BAD MANAGEMENT. FACT: Sales have been good, the only thing that has not been gud is the managment. I know for a fact that in the three months leading up to christmas a sector of the store threw away £250,000 worth of food. If only they cud have the sense to reduce food that is about to expire on the expiry date they cud have saved at least half a million nationwide. The adverts are effective it's just the management with things like ordering too much of the wrong product,trying to cut costs by not employing enuf staff to stock the shelves and fridges meaning products stay in the stockrooms for longer and some expire there as well.

And then u have these very young graduate and school leaver type of managers who have no clue what happens on the shop floor and yet every 24hrs they come up with crap impractical ideas that eventually cost the company money.

RE: Why are M&S trading results so low?

Simon — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 19:47:57 GMT

I think a few important points came up there. I believe i read that actually the trading figures were higher than normal therefore customers were spending more but the profit margins were less therefore not as much profit as hoped for. This can come from a number of reasons but I would suggest it is that customers over the past few months have slowed down spending and might have soured their goods elsewhere.

RE: Why are M&S trading results so low?

BillyB — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 16:51:07 GMT

Problem is that the campaigns featuring Twiggy and the girls were launched a few years ago now.

They first year saw a huge impact and phenomenal turnaround but as the campaign's rolled on, despite Myleene Klass coming onboard, the impact's not what is was.

Also, compared to a few years ago the budget clothing sector has really exploded. More young women spending their pounds in Primark, New Look and in the supermarkets means they have less to spend on M&S' comparitively more expensive lines.

Right? Wrong?

Why are M&S trading results so low?

Aimee Lacy — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 14:01:51 GMT

M&S had their trading results recently and they were not good. It's hard to understand why seeing as their recent advertising campaigns have had such huge success. It just goes to show, even the best marketing doesn't always encourage consumers to part with their money.

But what should they do next?