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Food

M & S Food outlets

(126 Posts)
Teetime Sat 05-Nov-16 12:51:33

I read in today's Telegraph that M & S are closing some of their smaller stores and regrading others to M & S Foods. Food seems to be the only thing they do well with now - well if they won't listen to their customers. I have just had an e-mail advert from them promoting the Alexa Archive Collection. Dire isn't the word for it. Alexa go back to the day job.

Candlefran Sat 05-Nov-16 12:57:08

I usually buy clotyhing Christmas presents for DDs from M and S because of their easy refund policy. Had a look round yesterday. Nothing.

Jalima Sat 05-Nov-16 12:59:27

I just googled it - it varies from 'dozens' to '30' and some are overseas stores.

I haven't bought any clothes in M&S for ages, apart from underwear and, of course, food!

Alexa Archive Collection? Do they mean they've dug it out from many years ago, hoping to appeal to their core customer.
Or that it should be archived?

Taking a look now

Jalima Sat 05-Nov-16 13:06:35

Oh confused

Why would anyone wear slippers with a winter coat and laceup boots with an evening dress?

And who is Alexa Chung, she seems to be all over the place socialising in the media spotlight with other people who are equally vague on the horizons of my sphere of perception but I have no idea who she is or what she does
(except wear unappealing clothes)

Anya Sat 05-Nov-16 13:17:14

Dire, dreary, dull as ditchwater clothes.

I don't even buy my jeans from them anymore since Per Una changed their leg lengths. Teetime is so right that they won't listen to their customers.

Anya Sat 05-Nov-16 13:18:05

And their floor staff are not interested in customers either.

ninathenana Sat 05-Nov-16 13:26:52

H buys clothes from M & S. I don't.
As my nearest store is 25-30 mins via the motorway it won't bother me if they close.

kittylester Sat 05-Nov-16 13:59:29

I still like their cotton t shirts but there colour choice this year is awful. Apart, that is, from a fabulous dark purple which sold out really quickly.

Christinefrance Sat 05-Nov-16 13:59:42

Think M & S lost the plot with their clothing some time ago. They tried to please everyone and ended up pleasing no one. I do still get some clothing from them on line as I live in SW France. Wonder what will happen if they close the Paris store .

Jalima Sat 05-Nov-16 14:45:31

They're obviously not going down a storm in Paris or Bejing!

Maggiemaybe Sat 05-Nov-16 14:59:29

I went in one of the stores to look for jeans the other day. There were so many options it was bewildering, yet despite trying umpteen on I couldn't find a pair that looked half decent. Why don't they just slash the number of lines they offer, and concentrate on getting them right? The online sales are always bursting at the seams with things nobody wanted.

The food, in my opinion, is still a cut above.

felice Sat 05-Nov-16 15:26:24

The new store here is really busy, I popped in for teabags on Monday at 18.00 and the young man behind the till asked if it was really Monday as they have been rushed of their feet.
I have not really looked at the clothes as I use C&A but SIL has found great cotton Tshirts and Shirts, he has a skin problem on his back.

POGS Sat 05-Nov-16 17:10:47

Our nearest Marks and Spencers closed down in 2010 !.

I only buy underwear from M & S to be honest.

Ana Sat 05-Nov-16 17:20:19

C&A - now there's a blast from the past! Wish we still had their stores over here felice.

rosesarered Sat 05-Nov-16 17:28:23

Went into M and S recently and also Debenhams.....nothing that I wanted in either.DH was amazed at what he thought was my new thriftyness.grin

rosesarered Sat 05-Nov-16 17:30:12

We were in Madeira last year , went for a walk and discovered C&A.....bought some great loose cotton tunic tops ( it was very hot) and wish I had bought more.

hildajenniJ Sat 05-Nov-16 17:44:07

I wouldn't be sorry to see them go. I've bought nothing from the clothes stores for years. The food stores have lovely things, but we don't have one near enough for me to go regularly.

Iam64 Sat 05-Nov-16 17:54:23

I tried to buy a sweater and a skirt yesterday in M and S. There was nothing remotely wearable. I'd be sorry to see the clothing side go but it's lost the way. The clothes ranges don't appeal to the age groups they're aimed at. I also looked at nightwarecand underware. Grim. The only thing that appealed was a silk vest but I don't want to spend £35 on a vest. They brought in designers but what most women want is a decent pair of jeans or trousers, a shirt, t shirt and sweater or fleece, that is practical, wearable and affordable. T
They are getting the food right.

Eloethan Sat 05-Nov-16 18:04:16

I quite like M&S sandwiches, lunch pots and cream cakes. The rest of the food is, I think, overpriced.

I like the Per Una trousers and jeans which sit on the waist and come in three lengths.

sluttygran Sat 05-Nov-16 18:18:54

M&S used to be the 'go to' store for good quality, well-priced, and even fashionable clothing, but for several years now, most of their styles have been appallingly frumpy, and too elderly in aspect even for an old biddy like me!
Their undies are not too bad, but vastly overpriced in my opinion.
I rather like Matalan - they've replaced M&S in my affections.

M0nica Sat 05-Nov-16 18:23:32

Made a rare visit to M&S a few weeks ago. My nearest is 15 miles away. Saw a couple of sweaters and a pair of shoes I liked. None available in my size because it is such a popular size (shoes and sweaters). As far as I am concerned it wouldn't bother me if the chain went the way of BHS, but with the Pension Fund fully funded and staff getting proper redundancy payments.

annsixty Sat 05-Nov-16 18:52:24

I went to the large store at Handforth Dean today. I could have spent hundreds of pounds and the tills were very busy. The cashmere was particularly tempting . I obviously Buck the trend on here.

mumofmadboys Sat 05-Nov-16 19:05:13

I like their bedding and a lot of their home range.

Maggiemaybe Sat 05-Nov-16 19:11:33

Oh, yes, I like a lot of their home range too. They have a simple Christmas snow globe this year that I really like (the Love one) - it "snows" glitter for ages. In fact I was so fascinated I had to go back before I left the store for another shake. I think I'll have to have it - I guess I can justify buying yet more Christmas stuff by saying I'm sure the grandchildren will love it blush

Stansgran Sat 05-Nov-16 19:35:15

Dd1 spent a lot on basics for her family this summer and half term.. All much much cheaper than where she lives. The children have got clothes from us for Christmas. I tend to like one or two things for me each year. They've stopped stocking the tights without Lycra which I normally buy and I've had to resort to john lewis. They don't seem to have a vision of their customer. Too keen to go for the classic or indigo customer. I used to love per una.