Marks & Spencer Group Plc
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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.
Global brands back training for Pakistan cotton farmers
Around 200,000 Pakistani cotton farmers are set to benefit from a global cotton industry partnership that will train them on issues such as sustainability in farming and child labour thanks to funding from brands such as H&M and Levi Strauss & Co.
M&S multi-channel chief Wade-Gery to step down
Laura Wade-Gery, the executive tasked with modernising Marks & Spencer’s e-commerce and multi-channel capabilities, will not be returning to the retailer following her maternity leave, it was revealed today (12 September).
Apparel majors among top sustainability performers
Major apparel groups including Adidas, Gap Inc, Inditex, Gildan and Asics have been included in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI), putting the companies among the best-in-class sustainability performers globally.
M&S to cut 525 HQ jobs in efficiency drive
Struggling UK retailer Marks & Spencer is to cut around 525 head office jobs – around 15% of the total – in an attempt to remove duplication, drive accountability and "strip out unnecessary costs" across the business.
M&S clothing sales plunge on "weak market"
Strategic challenges remain for Marks & Spencer's beleaguered clothing division after first-quarter sales fell by nearly 9% on a "weak market" and fewer promotions.
M&S publishes human rights report and supply chain map
Marks & Spencer has published its first supply chain map for clothing and its first human rights report as part of the retailer's ethical commitments detailed in its first Plan A update under new CEO Steve Rowe.
How M&S plans to revamp its clothing business
The new boss at British high street giant Marks & Spencer has set out his plans to turn around the retailer's key clothing division by lowering prices and improving style, fit and quality – after the troubled unit saw like-for-like sales slump 2.9% over the past year.
M&S to see "departure" of sourcing chiefs?
UK retailer Marks & Spencer may see a shake-up of its sourcing team with the potential departure next year of two senior executives who have overhauled the group's supply chain.
M&S simplifies management for speedier decisions
Marks & Spencer has made a number of changes to its management structure in order to drive "speedier decision making", including the formation of an operating committee to oversee business development and strategy.
M&S clothing turnaround a "priority" as sales tumble
Turning around its clothing and home businesses will be the priority for Marks & Spencer, new CEO Steve Rowe has said, as the UK retailer revealed lower sales for the division in its fourth-quarter.
New M&S CEO Rowe to retain control of clothing
The new CEO of Marks & Spencer will also continue to lead the group's flailing clothing business, it has emerged, and has pledged to make its turnaround a priority for the UK retailer.
Chinese companies join forest-free viscose pledge
Six large Chinese rayon and viscose producers have joined a commitment to stop sourcing the raw material from ancient and endangered forests.
Apparel industry majors oppose Brexit campaign
Marks & Spencer CEO Marc Bolland, and Burberry CEO Christopher Bailey have joined a long list of apparel industry figures in voicing their opposition to Britain's exit from the European Union, which they believe will deter investment, threaten jobs and put the economy at risk.
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