General Chat

I used to work for the House of Fraser, despatching orders to all their stores. You would'nt believe the mark up, from when they arrive in the warehouse to when they leave for the stores. Jo.

there food is lovely but also over priced.why is that .is it because it was the in place to shop better quality.well it's changed now and people are deserting it so i think that justifies a discount in prices.they'll have to think of something soon otherwise they will go out of businessxxxxx(:

I never buy from M&S I just don't like their clothes, but I used to pop in for a sandwich at lunch time, but the queues were so long with most of the check outs not manned, that more often than not I used to walk out empty handed having put the sandwich back. I just didn't have the time to queue.

i think there too overpriced and the quality is not as good as it used to be.if they want sales they will have to compete with the other stores and lower their pricesxxxx(:

Hi, I agree tht M & S have forgotten who their customers are. They try to attract too many different types. I worked for them for 10 years including many at Head Office in Baker Street and the store bags in those days used to say on them "99% of our goods are British made." They tried a teenagers range once that was a flop because that age group then, as now, prefer shops with like-minded shoppers and lots of music. There will always be a certain group and age of shoppers who want calm, ordered surroundings, (unlike M & S shops now,) with a sales assistant at the ready to help instead of queues to pay and no-one to assist. I like Per Una because it is different and rarely buy from any other part of the store.

M&S used to have really good summer Sales when my children were small and I recall getting some real bargains for them. If they can do that and still make a profit, it would be nice if they lowered the prices in the 1st place and made slightly less on each item but just as much over all because more people would buy. I know it doesn't work like that when you are talking big business but an average family trying their best to clothe children for school etc has to shop where there is a fair price so M&S lost out.

I've always shopped in M&S for most of my life but the last seven years I've found them well over priced and I can't afford £40 for a little top. For my birthday however I received some M&S vouchers and bought two items, a pair of trousers and a pair of black shoes and those two items came to £70. When you think, they must make several thousand of the same item which in my book should work out much cheaper for them, so why not pass it on to the consumer? Yes they are too expensive. Jo.

Well the M&S mens clothing is rubbish. I buy my undies there, as does half the country, but nothing much else apart from that. Actually they do some nice suits still. Sharon buys lingerie there and some stuff from Per Una, but not much else. The foods good though :) As for Tesco's etc... well I've nevel seen one item of men's clothing there that I like... Tesco's do great kids clothes though (we don't have an Asda locally so I can't comment)

M & S undies for me, and food (when I can afford it!) Like Per Una range, and t-shirts ae always good. Shoes too, 'cause they do half sizes!

Yes, I think you're right Debbie, I think the man who did the George range for Asda has just been taken on as head of M&S (or something like that!). Mandy :)

My Sister used to work for Asdas Bristol, and she told me that the people that make the George clothing are the same people that makes the M&S clothes. I dont know if they still do because George sold up or died or something and someone else took over and stayed the same name.

Hi, I like their Per Uno range but don't think much of the rest of their clothes. I love Wallis. M and S food is good though. Gwynne

She's been to Marks & Spencers three times this week already lol! Mandy :)

I still shop in Marks if I can get to the bigger stores, Cribbs Causeway Bristol, Hedge end as they have a larger choice. i think they made the mistake of forgetting who their customers are. They have tried to compete with stores like next, aiming at the younger customer when, in fact, it is the older customer who spends money there. Definitley the qualit is not as ood since they put their custom overseas, you often end up with shoddy work at the more expensive price. people don't mind paying more for quality but they wont buy goods t higher prices when they can get the same quality in the supermarkets for less money. They should concentrate on separates which they were good at and forget Per Una, which is very expensive for what it is. Ann Glos

I still shop in Marks if I can get to the bigger stores, Cribbs Causeway Bristol, Hedge end as they have a larger choice. i think they made the mistake of forgetting who their customers are. They have tried to compete with stores like next, aiming at the younger customer when, in fact, it is the older customer who spends money there. Definitley the qualit is not as ood since they put their custom overseas, you often end up with shoddy work at the more expensive price. people don't mind paying more for quality but they wont buy goods t higher prices when they can get the same quality in the supermarkets for less money. They should concentrate on separates which they were good at and forget Per Una, which is very expensive for what it is. Ann Glos

I still shop in Marks if I can get to the bigger stores, Cribbs Causeway Bristol, Hedge end as they have a larger choice. i think they made the mistake of forgetting who their customers are. They have tried to compete with stores like next, aiming at the younger customer when, in fact, it is the older customer who spends money there. Definitley the qualit is not as ood since they put their custom overseas, you often end up with shoddy work at the more expensive price. people don't mind paying more for quality but they wont buy goods t higher prices when they can get the same quality in the supermarkets for less money. They should concentrate on separates which they were good at and forget Per Una, which is very expensive for what it is. Ann Glos

I've always found M&S underwear, socks and children's T shirts etc lasts really well and looks pretty good after many washes. Where Tesco and Asda gain is by having it all under one roof and you can just put a couple of clothing items in the shopping trolley when you do the grocery shop. They probably get more sales from 'browsers' because of this.

With Marks I think it still has a granny image and as their clothes are not cheap it doesn't make them too popular!! With tesco's and asda.... it appears to be the throw away mentality of the prices that have got people flocking there... people can buy things and only wear them a couple of times without feeling guilty!! It's fab.... I think it will force more stores to reduce their HUGE markups!!

heard marks and spencers profits are down on their clothes range and that tesco's and george from asda 's clothes profit have rocketed.do you think marks are over price and th quality isn't as good?xxxx(: