Marks & Spencer Group Plc - apparel and textile industry company news 
WORLD: Zero Discharge group updates environmental roadmap
14 June 2013
The Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC) Group has launched version two of its Joint Roadmap, aimed at attaining a “new standard of environmental performance for the global apparel and footwear industry”.
M&S and Al Gore issue rallying cry for sustainability
13 June 2013
Retailer Marks & Spencer issued a rallying cry for sustainability at its Plan A supplier conference today, where former US vice president and environmental activist Al Gore talked about some of the issues he believes the business community needs to address.
Who has signed the Bangladesh safety accord - update
11 June 2013
A total of 44 companies have now signed the new Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh following the collapse of the Rana Plaza factory building in April, which killed more than 1,100 people.
UK: M&S to build new Thames distribution hub
10 June 2013
Retail group Marks & Spencer has unveiled plans to build a new, 900,000sq ft distribution centre at the new London Gateway Port in south Essex.
UK: M&S increases sustainable cotton use
10 June 2013
Marks and Spencer has increased the amount of cotton sourced from more sustainable sources over the past year.
FRANCE: Primark to open first store
4 June 2013
UK value fashion retailer Primark has today (3 June) revealed it will expand into France with the opening of its first store in Marseilles later this year.
UK: Government pressures retailers on Bangladesh supply chains
3 June 2013
The UK government is putting pressure on clothing retailers that source from Bangladesh to improve the safety of their supply chains in the country.
US: Retailers eye July release of Bangladesh safety plan
31 May 2013
A group of US based retailers and brands working towards a new programme to improve fire and safety regulations in Bangladeshi garment factories is unlikely to finalise its plans until early July.
US: Crailar Technologies joins Sustainable Apparel Coalition
23 May 2013
Crailar Technologies, developer of the Crailar Flax fibre, is the latest company to join the Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC), which is working to reduce the environmental and social impacts of global apparel and footwear production.
M&S plays up its clothing revamp as sales slide
21 May 2013
The challenges faced by Marks & Spencer's clothing business have already been well-documented, so it was no surprise that a fall in annual sales has weighed on the retailer's bottom line.
UK: General merchandise weighs on M&S FY profit
21 May 2013
Retailer Marks & Spencer today (21 May) reported a 6.5% drop in annual group profits as higher operating costs and poor sales of general merchandise - which includes clothing and footwear - continued to weigh on its performance.
US: Body shape measurement rolls out to healthcare
20 May 2013
3D body scanners and software typically used to make better-fitting clothes are being rolled out to the healthcare sector where they will measure the body for obesity and for clinical diagnosis.
just-style's most read stories this week...
17 May 2013
The most-read stories on just-style this week include a rush by apparel brands and retailers to sign the new Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh, a report on what the agreement entails, and plans by M&S to shake up its supplier base.
US: Apparel groups unveil own Bangladesh safety plans
16 May 2013
A group of North American retailers has gone its own way on strengthening safety efforts at Bangladesh garment factories, setting up a new initiative said to offer a long-term solution that also offers flexibility to "respond to an ever-changing environment."
M&S shakes up supplier base as part of turnaround efforts
15 May 2013
Marks & Spencer is set to shake up its supplier base as part of plans to turn around its fortunes in women's wear through a focus on quality and style.
Bangladesh safety accord still raises many questions
15 May 2013
There is no doubt that something needed to be done to improve safety standards at factories in Bangladesh making clothes for western brands and retailers. But the new Accord on Fire and Building Safety - details of which were reported on just-style yesterday - seems to raise nearly as many questions as it answers.
BANGLADESH: More retailers race to join safety accord
15 May 2013
More retailers and brands have joined the Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh ahead of the midnight deadline (15 May).
What does the new Bangladesh safety accord entail?
14 May 2013
Yesterday (13 May) was a big day for the Bangladesh garment industry, with retailers finally signing an agreement to improve fire safety in the country's ready-made garment industry after two years of being caught in a stalemate. But what exactly does the new accord entail? Petah Marian takes a first look.
BANGLADESH: Marks & Spencer joins Safety Accord
14 May 2013
Marks & Spencer has become the latest retailer to join the new Bangladesh Fire and Building Safety Accord, which is intended to improve safety in the country's garment factories.
BANGLADESH: Benetton and N Brown commit to safety accord
14 May 2013
Two more European retailers have this-afternoon signed up to the new Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh, which aims to improve safety conditions in supplier factories.
UK: Marks & Spencer adds to women's wear team
14 May 2013
Marks & Spencer (M&S) is boosting its women's wear team with the promotion of Gillian Ridley Smith to development and buying director of womenswear, and the appointment of Queralt Ferrer as head of design for the Autograph and Limited labels.
just-style's most read stories this week...
10 May 2013
The most read stories on just-style this week include Adidas launching a mobile phone pilot to monitor labour rights at one of its supplier factories, another fatal factory fire in Bangladesh, and unions calling for Bangladesh to sign a fire safety pact.
Marks & Spencer to modernise sourcing and supply chain
9 May 2013
Retailer Marks & Spencer is working to update its sourcing and logistics systems after admitting that 20 years of under-investment have led to a sluggish and inconsistent supply chain.
UK: M&S names Jenkins lingerie director
9 May 2013
Jo Jenkins has rejoined Marks & Spencer as the retailer's new director of lingerie and beauty.
UK: M&S loses two women's wear buyers
2 May 2013
Marks & Spencer has lost two more executives from its women's wear team as the retailer works to turnaround falling clothing sales.
Omni-channel retail: Technology and logistics
1 May 2013
Omni-channel services may be delivering, but they can be complex. The goal is delivering a seamless omni-channel experience for apparel buying consumers and if the tech doesn't work, the sales aren't made.
Omni-channel retail: Integrating and evolving online strategies
1 May 2013
How retailers deal with the omni-channel challenge varies greatly, as do opinions on how to integrate strategies for online, mobile and physical transactions.
BANGLADESH: Buyers call for action on factory safety
30 April 2013
Representatives from more than 40 apparel brands and retailers have called for a credible action plan to address workplace safety in the Bangladesh clothing sector as the death toll from last week's Rana Plaza building collapse climbs to 386.
Garment size and fit a "moving target"
19 April 2013
Fashion retailers, brands and manufacturers are facing a "moving target" when it comes to garment sizing and fit. A focus on changing consumer shapes, communication with both offshore factories and customers, pattern blocks and fit forms, as well as processes and training are all needed now if the industry is to prevent problems in the future, say leading executives.
NETHERLANDS: Marks & Spencer re-enters Netherlands
17 April 2013
Marks & Spencer is set to re-enter the Netherlands today (17 April) with a store and localised website.
