Marks and Spencer

Marks and Spencer one of the UK’s leading retailers are founded by Michael marks who partnered with Thomas Spencer (a cashier at Marks friends business) in 1894 at the initial period it was known as Marx and Sparks or M&S. It made a breakthrough during the early 20th century as they were selling only British made goods, but discontinued its policy at later stage. At the initial period they produced women’s wear, lingerie and girls uniforms under the patronage of st Michaels, in 1928 the trade mark was officially released and the first st Michael food products was put in store in 1941. The name st Michael was put forward in order to assure customers they produce good quality products, subsequently the name was taken out in the year 2000 and the products was sold under marks and Spencer. M&S started their food department in 1931 expanding with various different items, after few years they opened an in house café and bar to cater customers. In 1948 they established their first food self service counters where customers can browse through the products before they purchase. During the 1980s M&S put furniture’s on display it showed clear sign that they were going into every aspect of improving business and its market share in the United Kingdom. It was after Simon marks death son of the founder, John Sallies took over as chairman during his and Marcus Seif tenure as chairman they bought in many changes like introduction of Asian food in 1974 and stores opened across Europe and other parts of the world. Most of the international shops are operated by franchisee, except for Ireland and Hong Kong. They emphasis on quality and consumers like it as they produced good quality British goods which started to wave off at later stage. It was also one of the few retailers to impose a ban on smoking in their stores. Marks and Spencer has wide range of products ranging from clothing to grocery. M&S over the century have had a rapid growth in the UK, they explored into various different categories in order to provide their customer what they need and want, and starting off from woman’s clothing they have achieved a departmental store status, Providing goods such as clothing, home appliance, grocery, etc. in the mean