Marks & Spencer Group Plc
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M&S upbeat but Q1 sales fall fails to convince analysts
Clothing sales at UK retailer Marks and Spencer have fallen once again in the first quarter of the year, but the firm remained upbeat today (11 July), insisting the fall was slower than the previous quarter.
Fashion brands linked to polluting viscose producers
A number of fashion giants, including Sweden’s H&M and Inditex's Zara, are said to be buying viscose from highly polluting factories that are contributing irreparable damage to environmental and human health.
M&S sets out new sustainability goals for Plan A 2025
Marks & Spencer is entering into a new collaboration with Oxfam aimed at developing a deeper understanding of the connection between sourcing practices and human rights impacts in India as part of a new Plan A 2025 programme launched by the UK retailer today (1 June) that will also see it disclose raw material supplier details.
Marks & Spencer creates strategy director role
UK retail group Marks & Spencer has confirmed the appointment of Melanie Smith to the newly created role of strategy director.
Clothing brands commit to 100% sustainable cotton by 2025
Asos, Kering, Levi Strauss & Co and Nike are among 13 clothing and textile brands who have committed to using 100% sustainable cotton by 2025.
M&S FY profit slumps 64% on lower clothing sales
UK retail group Marks & Spencer says "there is still much to do" as it revealed profits slumped by almost two-thirds last year due to restructuring costs, while clothing sales continued to fall.
Marks & Spencer hires "formidable" chairman
UK retail group Marks & Spencer has made what one analyst describes as a "formidable appointment" with the hiring of Archie Norman as its new chairman, replacing the outgoing Robert Swannell.
Marks & Spencer appoints McDonald clothing director
UK retail group Marks & Spencer will be hoping to turn the fortunes of its non-food business around with the appointment Jill McDonald to the newly created role of managing director of clothing, home and beauty.
M&S extends sourcing deal with Lindsey brothers
British retailer Marks & Spencer has agreed a new contract with the two sourcing directors who have been responsible for overhauling the group's clothing supply chain.
What M&S has learned from its sustainability journey so far
In the ten years since Marks & Spencer launched its Plan A sustainability commitment the UK-based retailer has "at best" completed 20% of its journey, according to Mike Barry, director of sustainable business (Plan A). "There’s an awful lot that still needs to change" across the industry as a whole, he told executives at a conference in the UK last week.
Marks & Spencer clothing logistics head steps down
Marks & Spencer’s director of clothing, home and multichannel logistics, Adrian Harris, has stepped down from his role, the UK retailer has confirmed.
Where next for the Corporate Human Rights Benchmark?
First feedback on last week's launch of the Corporate Human Rights Benchmark has welcomed the move – but warns against drawing conclusions too quickly and highlights a number of critical issues such as the quality and credibility of information, governance and price pressures.
Marks & Spencer tops human rights benchmark
UK retailer Marks & Spencer has topped a new benchmark ranking that aims to incentivise companies in a race to the top for the moral and commercial advantages of a strong human rights record.
H&M leads Better Cotton league
The Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) says demand for more sustainable cotton is on the rise, with Swedish retailer H&M and sportswear giants Adidas and Nike leading the field in its 'Better Cotton league'.
M&S clothing growth – What the analysts say
Retailer Marks & Spencer has finally booked like-for-like sales growth in its general merchandise unit, which includes clothing and homewares, thanks to a focus on value and quality, rather than "reactionary and desperate" discounting. Not surprisingly, analysts have praised the UK retailer's first positive clothing performance in two years.
Marks & Spencer quality focus finally lifts clothing sales
Marks & Spencer's strategy to focus on value, rather than "reactionary and desperate" discounting, paid off in its third-quarter with the UK retailer's clothing division recording an uplift in sales for just the second time in six years.
Brands urged to tackle child slavery in India spinning mills
Various forms of modern slavery, including child slavery, have been found in around 90% of spinning mills in South India producing yarn that makes its way into garment factories in India, Bangladesh and China supplying western brands and retailers, a new report claims.
Eight factors set to shape European retail in 2017
Many of the key themes that dominated the European retail scene in 2016 are expected to continue into this year, analysts believe, as retailers prepare for more currency headwinds, unseasonal weather, a continued shift to e-commerce and whatever hurdles Brexit will bring.
Top 20 analysis stories on just-style in 2016...
Instead of the regular roundup of the most-read news pieces on just-style during the week, we thought a fitting end to the year would be to take a look at our top analysis pieces in 2016. Child labour, trade deals, Trump's election, 3D printing, the impact of Brexit, and sustainability are just some of the issues we analysed.
Top 20 news stories on just-style in 2016...
Instead of our regular roundup of the most-read stories on just-style during the week, we thought a fitting end to the year would be to take a look at the top news stories on just-style in 2016. Cutting edge innovations, Africa growth, Brexit, worker safety, key apparel and footwear trends, and minimum wages were just some of the issues that made the headlines.
2016 – A year in review – Retail winners and losers
A local-for-local manufacturing vision, expansion in Asia, robotic warehousing and automated delivery systems helped lift some retailers during 2016, but concerns over conditions and working practices, store closures and bankruptcies weighed on others.
M&S chairman Swannell to step down
Robert Swannell, the chairman of Marks & Spencer, is to step down after six years at the helm of the UK retail group.
Fashion firms failing to address deforestation risk
Leading international businesses – including apparel and textile companies – are ill-prepared for the risk that comes from sourcing products linked to deforestation, a major cause of climate change, a new report claims.
M&S to cut clothing from 60 stores and axe brands
British retailer Marks & Spencer has announced its biggest shake-up in years, with plans to remove its clothing ranges from 60 stores over the next five years and axe underperforming brands, as first-half pre-tax profit tumbled 88%.
M&S set to shut stores and trim clothing?
Retailer Marks & Spencer is expected to announce the closure of a number of UK stores this week, and reallocate space away from clothing to food at others, as part of ongoing plans to turn around the ailing business.
M&S silent over Paris flagship closure reports
Struggling UK retailer Marks & Spencer has declined to comment on what it calls "rumour and speculation" regarding reports the company plans to close its flagship Paris department store on the Champs-Elysees.
Apparel brands "ignoring" refugee abuse in Turkey factories
The majority of large apparel brands are ignoring the "endemic" abuse of Syrian refugees in Turkish clothing factories supplying European retailers, a new report has found.
M&S "unappealing" clothing a barrier to growth
Investors see intensifying competition in clothing as barriers to Marks & Spencer achieving earnings growth, a survey has found, with many concerned about the UK retailer's "unappealing" product offering.
Marks & Spencer top for modern slavery reporting
Retailer Marks & Spencer has been named as the highest performing FTSE 100 company for monitoring and reporting on modern slavery in its supply chain, with luxury brand Burberry scoring third, in a report that also highlights a deficit in action by many UK-listed firms.
Growing commitment to Responsible Wool Standard
Textile Exchange has revealed more brands and suppliers are pledging their commitment to the Responsible Wool Standard (RWS), taking the total number of brands on board to 15.
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