Marks & Spencer news

M&S' latest international plans show how the retailer has a clear growth strategy for its priority markets of China, Hong Kong and Macau. China: modernisation and new key cities M&S will be closing five of its stores in the greater Shanghai region by August 2015, instead focusing on its flagship store on West Nanjing Road which is set to be completely modernised this autumn. The update ...

Wealth of experience Weir joins from the John Lewis Partnership where she has held the position of chief financial officer since 2012. Prior to JLP Weir held senior positions at Lloyds Banking Group and Kingfisher having begun her early career at Unilever and McKinsey & Co. The appointment of a new CFO comes after the departure of Alan Stewart who took up the same role at Tesco. Extremely...

M&S Q3 results for 2014/15 show total group sales fell by 1.6% in the 13 weeks to 27 December 2014. The retailer's results were supported by positive food sales over the Christmas period at +0.1% like-for-like. Record Christmas sales week M&S has made positive progress in its food business over the reported period, revealing total food sales of +2.8%. The key festive week resulted in exc...

M&S has revealed encouraging interim results driven by a strong performance in food. Total food sales grew by 3.6% (+1.0% LFL). There was also a better underlying picture in its key womenswear business, though this was impacted by the unseasonably warm September. Results in brief Food sales: +3.6% (+1.0% LFL) General merchandise sales: -2.3% (-2.9% LFL) Clothing sales: -1.6% (-2....

Following the announcement of its international expansion last month, M&S opens its first Finnish store in Helsinki today, on 9 October. M&S partners with S Group This will be the second debut in Finland for M&S after it ended its franchise partnership with Stockmann over 10 years ago. M&S is now working in conjunction with new local franchise partner S Group. The retail company group op...

Following a successful international store opening plan last year which saw sales grow by 6.2%, M&S continues to invest in its overseas portfolio by opening stores in three new markets: Finland, Norway and Vietnam. M&S targets Nordic country This will be the second debut in Finland for M&S, however this time it is in conjunction with new franchise partner S Group : the leading retaile...

Marks and Spencer has launched a new 'Only M&S' advertising campaign with a series of tempting food adverts highlighting the retailer's on trend food range. New ad aims to 'raise the bar' Named 'Adventures in Imagination', the  one-minute advert focuses on an array of M&S ingredients and new lines, including its runny-yolk scotch egg. Aimed to tease the nation's taste buds, M&S has use...

Chief information officer for online at Tesco, Carl Dawson, is leaving the retailer to join M&S as IT director as M&S expands its reach overseas. Dawson will report to CFO In his new role at M&S, Carl Dawson will report to M&S's chief financial offer. The CFO position is currently being filled by Paul Friston after Alan Stewart's recent resignation to take up the CFO role at Tesco, a role h...

Current M&S chief financial officer, Alan Stewart, is leaving the retailer to fulfil the same role at Tesco. Strong finance track record in retail and beyond Alan Stewart joined M&S in 2010, and only this month had responsibility for Property added to his CFO remit. Before this he was CFO of AWAS, an aircraft leasing company, and Group Finance Director at WH Smith prior to that. As well ...

M&S has reported mixed Q1 results for the 13 weeks to 28 June 2014. Total group sales grew +2.3% with total food sales showing the strongest growth at 4.2%, however other areas of the business did not perform to expectations. Headline numbers Group sales: +2.3% Total UK sales: +2.0% (LFL +0.3%) Total GM sales: -0.8% (LFL -1.5%) Total Clothing sales: +0.1% (LFL -0.6%) T...