Marks and Spencer, the phoenix rises

Brief history
Started by Mark Simon in1882 Retail principles adopted from Sears Control of merchandise generated by the central organization that was
Acutely sensitive to consumer demand Could adjust to the flow from factories to the stores as required

The conquest of Britain

By 1960 dominant position in UK Simple strategies
Offered narrow ranges of goods of high quality and value Numbers of SKUs are small Clothing were fashionable but not high fashion Food line comprised of perishables of highest quality

Formula delivered on value premise

Partnership with suppliers Partnership with employees Partnership with customers

 By 1975 M & S was on the every high street of every major English city Teams were organized by functions and product as by sales floor of the product Team reported to directors grouped under clothing and food Investment in inventory was limited Major investment was in retail real estate Suppliers have a dedicated network for garments

Goes Global
Conditions of UK was depressed in 1970s Strikes, high interest rates, unemployment made for dismal prospect Acquired two retail chains in Canada
Challenged by local competitors and market stretched thinly across 3000 ,miles Union Jack was not popular Unsatisfactory results

Attempts in continent were more successful