M and S axe it’s Classic Range !

M&S are really struggling, and frankly, it's their own fault. Their core customers are women aged 55 plus. Yes, you have to 'replace' older customers with younger as we die off , but really, it's a good idea to keep those core customers whilst you attract the new; I sometimes feel they're throwing us away in the hope of attracting those new, younger customers. And I don't think it's working, they young are not flocking through their doors (not even their website doors).

Add to that that the quality took a serious nosedive years ago and they don't get a lot of money from me now. Yet I remember in the 80s/90s when I had a desk job and I used to spend an absolute fortune on work suits, blouses, scarfs, belts, coats. I got my make-up from there too! And earrings. Pretty much my entire wardrobe was from M&S; it was fashionable and good quality.

I very much doubt the 20-somethings of today can find a fraction of what they're looking for in M&S these days, whereas in the past my 20-something self could get everything. I've been looking (for presents for 20-somethings ) and I come away empty-handed every time, except for maybe a pair of coloured leather gloves.

But this has been going on for years. They keep trying to re-invent themselves, but I can't say I see any end to their decline .

M&S lost the plot some time ago. I always used to buy work trousers there - the quality was decent and I never needed to try them on as sizing was always consistent. Now fabrics are often nasty and scratchy, sizing is all over the place and you may find an entire rack of only one or two sizes. And I wish someone would cotton on that customers don't want garish colours and sparkly bits when it comes to knitwear etc.

I am 70 and fashion conscience. As far as I am concerned M and S have got it all completely wrong these days. Apart from the peculiar designs, they cannot control their sizing. I have M and S tops in sizes 14 up to 20 and trousers from 16 to 20.
I don't live close to a branch so try to buy on line. My last order was for nine items, eight were returned due to poor sizing, some too big, some too small and some with sleeves suitable for an orangutan. I won't bother again.

*conscious

Yes, they have done this before, trying to appeal to younger people and ignoring their older regular customers. Why can't they include both? Remember the time when you could only buy "thong" knickers? It was during Stuart Rose's time, and I sent an email asking what he'd done with my knickers but never got a reply.

I wouldn’t be seen dead in the Classics range (I’m mid 60’s). That apart, the quality of much of their clothing is sub Primark. I bought slippers in the spring which have worn holes in the backs of them - I do expect a pair to last a year at least. I buy my jeans there as I find them to be an excellent fit. However I have just returned a pair of regular length as they were at least 6” longer than others I have in “same” length. I submitted a photo of an existing pair overlaid on the new pair to show this but of course, I got no response. I have returned several bras from the Autograph range which fell apart after a couple of washes. Then I’m stuck with the matching pants. I feel like never using them again.

Rarely shop inM&S but seems daft especially as the population is aging

Bring Back Indigo!

I would just like to say that the M and S staff at the Freeport Outlet store in Braintree, Essex are absolutely amazing. So helpful, courteous and helpful. The M and S food store there also seems to have lovely helpful cheerful staff!

Sorry that should say helpful, courteous and cheerful!

Was only having this conversation today ….after shopping at M & S Outlet shop.....terrific bargains, mostly ALL from the Classic range ,,,trousers, jumpers, blouses ….ie pairs of casual trousers for wearing indoors ..£5.00 ...pair of pink trousers (for next summer) £2.99....I had seen most of the things in the actual shop, so know the prices were not just special buys for the Outlet but actual stock that didn't sell. ! Loads of pairs of classic trousers, all shapes and leg lengths, lovely night wear, tops and jumpers ….and SOOOOOO cheap ..I am afraid I spent too much as usual ! Also, a pair of sheets king size, at £10 each (paid £22 each a few weeks before in store ! SADLY I think the reason all these Classic range are in the Outlet is that M & S mistakenly think their core customer is now younger ,,,,,,in their dreams ! I used to love the M & S clothes ...when at work, their suits jackets etc were amazin ...good quality, washed well ….this week I wanted a classic black blazer type jacket ...NOTHING ...and some LONG LENGTH black straight leg trousers ...NOTHING ! EVERYTHING TOO SMALL AND TOO SHORT …...as someone else said, they are NOT listening to their once loyal customers ...so where do we go now for out clothing purchases ?

Yes, bring back Indigo Norma

Great for casuals that were a bit different.

By younger generation what sort of age range do you think they currently aim for? Or are trying to?
For me, other than the £15 jeggings there's no choice at all for me. I don't want none natural fabrics or horrific colours. I used to buy my underwear from there but it's not the same now as it was in my teens and twenties. Now mid 30's. The children clothes some are horrible material and designs, those that aren't are too expensive. It's not like they will wear it next year as by then mine have grown two sizes at least. The school uniform was better quality in Asda this year.
I seem to be buying more in Debenhams and Asda or handmade.

I'm still growling about the £39.50 polo neck sweater that I bought late September, washed twice and is now covered in pilling and bobbles around the arms and bust area. And the polo neck looks as though it's totally collapsed. The quality of M&S is awful these days and certainly no better than Primark or Matalan.

I've noticed their fitting rooms are not very forgiving. I haven't got the greatest figure in the world but there is something about the lighting in M&S cubicles that makes me look even more like a sack of potatoes than usual. It is truly depressing to try clothes on there.

I do quite like the Per Una jeans range, because the high waists and the sizing generally I find quite good. The materials, though, don't seem as robust as before - more stretchy, not so snug.

I don't think I've ever found anything in the Classic range that I like.

I find some good clothes in TK Maxx, although you need more time and patience to find stuff.

Merryweather my 12 year old grand daughter loves the M&S girl's range. She is really into style and clothes.

My one complaint is the one that is general to the whole clothes store, that too often they are completly out of the style you want in the size you want. DGD ended up buying a size that fitted her now rather than one with a bit of growing space because every garment we looked at, although meant to go up to a mid-teen age size, was almost completely devoid of the larger sizes. We bought about the only 12/13 year old garment in the very large M&S in the centre of York.

‘I think a lot of the M&S core customers have found Uniqlo.Their woollies are lovely , great colours , wash well and are reasonably priced., especially the cashmere. Their t shirts are super soft and the heat tech range is just the job for this weather. I love the down coats too .Great designs in all departments. ’

This with nobs on. Uniqlo is now spot on for quality classic to sports wear everyday wear. Good value too.

A recent post about the unisex changing rooms lead me off to read the most recent M&S annual report. Therein stockholders are clearly briefed that M&S are reconfiguring the shop floor layouts - nowt about being ‘woke’ etc - to squeeze value out of the square footage, & that the target customers are to be younger & slimmer.

M&S corporate site - corporate.marksandspencer.com/annualreport

Steve Rowe M&S CEO

Our range remained too wide in FY 2018/19 with multiple options splintering our buying scale and making our shops challenging
to navigate. Our size ratios have been historically misaligned with the profile of the contemporary family age customer
we aim to appeal to. However, where we have made progress in pruning options and introducing slimmer fits and more mid sizes, the customer response has been very strong.

To save you downloading the report, page 10 onwards says...

In 2018..’In addressing these challenges, we set out what we needed to do to deliver the change required:
> Restore our style and value credentials to broaden our appeal to a younger family age customer.
> Restructure our shape of buy, reducing breadth of range and focusing on backing winning lines in high volume.
> Build on our loyal customer base and strong customer franchise in denim, lingerie, suits and back to school.
> Target one-third of our sales online by 2022.
> Reform our supply chain and systems to improve availability and deliver
for customers.’

& then...’And when we got the product fit and price right for the contemporary, family-age customer we aim
to appeal to – such as our denim campaign case study above – we saw product fly off the shelves. ’

...’Digital marketing of our Holly’s Must-Haves range generated 1.7 million clicks through to our website,’

...’for example our size ratios have been weighted towards larger sizes and fit, rather than the mid to smaller sizes of our target customer – aggravating availability problems.
To address this, we plan to deliver a more marked reduction in options and range duplication. We will embed new range planning processes and size ratio tools,
so we are set up to back more winning lines and target the family-aged customer.’

So unless you ‘Hollyesque’ or slim-fit family shopper, M&S ain’t so interested in you.

‘When will M&S realise that the 70-somethings now used to dress in Quant and Biba ...’

...& the 80-somethings were the Swinging Sixties dollybirds etc. The 60-somethings were Punk, New Romantics etc.

Ditto the polo neck jumpers, pull-on tweedy long short skirt & opaques, Patrick Cox/DMs on rotation. Nifty workwear for those averse to shoulder-pads.

M & S are going the same way as most other stores, catering for young folk. They buy clothing more often- wear once then abandon for something new. Older people don't
have the same turnover in clothing so not so much profit to be had. M& S have allegedly incorporated much of Classic into the Collection range. I didn't buy from Classic but appreciated for very long standing customers that was a 'must go to' range.

I love their pyjamas that can be purchased separate top/bottoms in soft Jersey prints. Usually treat myself to two or three sets at this time of year (yes even ones with cats on). But this year the majority of the trousers have cuffed bottoms. I hate cuffed bottoms! What has happened to my lovely wide leg pyjama trousers. Only one pattern in our local store had no cuffs on the separate pj's and it was a reptile print. Also by my bras from M&S same range, same size sometimes they even do a colour other than nude/black or white which I always buy. BUT lately they dont always fit despite purchasing same size/style at same time? Not sure where I will shop in future probably George at Asda or Tu at Sainsbury the jeans and tunic toos from these two have been a godsend

Lyndylou, About wide fitting shoes: I have the same problem. The makes to go for are Legero, Wolky, Gabor, Pikolino and lots of choice in the Peter Hahn catalogue - but unfortunately at a price.

Why are people in bits about the demise of M&S? Its day is over; it is part of the death of the High St. Let is go; as mentioned above there are much better alternatives out there.
Next year is the predicted shrinking or closure of Debenhams,Boots and New Look.
We should all move on to better and brighter things to come.

jolbrook because, for many years, M&S offered good basics at a reasonable price, all found under one roof.

There may be alternatives out there, but sourcing these alternatives, trekking from shop to shop, is not always possible and many people do not like buying clothes online because they like to try on, feel the fabrics etc.

We should all move on to better and brighter things to come

jolbrook? Presumably you're still a fairly young granny!

I do shop at other places eg JL, White Stuff, Joules, but for go-to basics, including trousers, jeans, everyday knitwear, some underwear I go to M&S (or did). Followed by the Food hall.