Marks & Spencer news and archive

Marks & Spencer extends chairman role

Department store Marks & Spencer has decided to extend the tenure of its current chairman Archie Norman as it moves into the next phase of its ongoing growth strategy. The move, which remains subject to shareholder approval at the company’s AGM, will extend Norman’s role for three years from September 2026. Norman, whose role will continue to be...

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Marks & Spencer adds Cos veteran to fashion and beauty team

Paula Bricks has been named as Marks & Spencer's new fashion, home and beauty (FH&B) retail director, a role she will take up from November. Bricks’ appointment bolsters the retailer’s existing FH&B team, currently led by John Lyttle, the managing director of the division. Bricks, who confirmed her new title in a post on LinkedIn, joins the...

Fashion

Watchdog bans Marks & Spencer ad over ‘unheathily’ thin model

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) in the UK has banned an advertisement by Marks & Spencer for featuring an “unhealthily thin” model. Four complainants raised issues with four ads featured across the retailer’s website, app and an email, questioning whether they were “socially irresponsible”. The imagery addressed, seen in April and May...

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UK government introduces new trade measures for developing countries

The UK government has introduced new measures that intend to simplify imports from developing countries. The changes come under the Developing Countries Trading Scheme and, according to a press release, aim to “lower prices on everyday goods while supporting growth in some of the world’s poorest nations”. The measures particularly address...

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Marks & Spencer enters Australia through David Jones partnership

British retailer Marks & Spencer has debuted in Australia via a new partnership with local department store David Jones. The exclusive deal will initially see Marks & Spencer’s core lingerie and sleepwear range, including T-shirt bras, lace styles, shapewear and thermals, introduced to David Jones stores and its online website from July 14. The...

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Four youths arrested for cyberattacks on British retailers

The UK's National Crime Agency (NCA) has arrested four suspects in connection with cyberattacks on well-known British retailers Marks & Spencer (M&S), Co-op and Harrods. The attacks took place in April of this year and caused significant financial disruption to the businesses. The four suspects remain in custody and are being questioned by the...

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Discarded clothes from British brands found in Ghana’s protected wetlands

Discarded garments from the likes of Next, George at Asda, Primark, H&M, Zara and Marks & Spencer have been uncovered in new dumps in the protected wetlands of Ghana, an hour outside the region’s capital city, Accra. According to an investigation by Unearthed and Greenpeace Africa, synthetic fast fashion from the UK and Europe was found in two...

Retail

Marks & Spencer relaunches online shopping following cyber attack

Marks & Spencer has announced the relaunch of its online shopping services weeks after it faced a cyber security breach that led to leaks in consumer data. The British department store announced the news on its Instagram, where it said a selection of its fashion ranges will be available for home delivery to England, Scotland and Wales from June...

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M&S expects 300 million pounds profit reduction due to cyber attack

Marks & Spencer (M&S) has concluded the 52 weeks ended March 29, 2025, by achieving its third consecutive year of growth across sales, market share, profit, and return on capital. M&S's sales rose by 6.1 percent to 13.9 billion pounds and pre-tax profit increased by 22.2 percent to 875.5 million pounds, representing the highest figure in over 15...

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Marks & Spencers faces class action lawsuit over cyber attack

British department store chain Marks & Spencer is facing a multimillion pound lawsuit following its cyber attack. The complaint specifically pertains to Scottish customers whose personal data was stolen during the incident. Marks & Spencer confirmed that consumer data had been stolen in the cyber attack last week. However, it noted that there...

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UK plans 16 million pounds cybersecurity scheme following M&S and Harrods attacks

Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Pat McFadden has announced a 16 million pound cyber security scheme following targeted attacks on Marks & Spencer, Harrods and Co-Op over the past few weeks. Speaking at the CyberUK conference this week, McFadden said “cybersecurity is not a luxury but an absolute necessity”, adding that the recent attacks on...

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Retailers should regularly review cyber controls as threat of attack increases

In view of recent cyber attacks on British department store Harrods, apparel retailer Marks & Spencer and others, audit, tax and consulting firm RSM UK is advising retailers to regularly review their cyber risk controls to ensure “they are as robust as possible”. “Retailers are already navigating a difficult trading environment shaped by fragile...