Advantages: see review
Disadvantages: see review

...There can be few who are not aware of Marks and Spencer and with 600 stores located throughout the U.K and 240 stores in other parts of the world, there is likely to be one not too far from you! Marks and Spencer can trace its origins back to 1884 when Michael Marks, a Russian born Polish refugee, formed a partnership with Tom Spencer. Marks and Spencer has gone from strength to strength and today sells not only clothes and food but finance too. However I really want to look at the store and what's on offer. I love Marks and Spencer; with their Per Una range being my favourite. Per Una, designed by George Davies, was launched in 2001. The range is fashionable and stylish. I have bought several pairs of Per Una jeans and find they fit well and keep their shape. The jeans cost £25 a pair, a very reasonable price tag! A few years ago... Read review

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Advantages: Location, pricing
Disadvantages: Ruthless, unimaginative

...Marks and Spencer is one of the UK's most prolific traders. Despite recent declines in profit, the store has introduced new lines and revamped many of their stores. Many of the suppliers have also saw the effect of this - Daks Simpson has recently incurred job losses as a result. Additionally, the refurbishment of one of the stores in Glasgow saw the demise of a medium-sized market-style enterprise (see my review on Virginia Galleries for more details) yet no penalty was incurred. Marks and Spencers is attempting (and failing) to attract a younger audience. It has refreshed its image, but it is fighting a losing battle. The garments are of fair quality, but the range is lacking imagination. The pricing is average and the store staff are helpful. The food compares favourably to other supermarkets and the range can be extensive... Read review

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Advantages: good quality products
Disadvantages: none

...Marks and Spencers have a few branches within Dublin, the main branch being on Grafton St. It is set in a very old building and has 4 floors, a food centre on the lower ground floor - it has a separate entrance as well as accessible within the shop. It has also a complete food to go now and it offers snacks like soup, hot sandwiches as well as paninis and the usual array of drinks. The shop also has an expresso bar on the ground floor and more recently a roof top restaurant offering good cuisine at reasonable prices. The shop also has all the old favourites of a department shop, good clothing at nice prices. The staff are friendly in all stores but the one on grafton st has excellent service. Worth a look.... Read review

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Advantages: WHITE COTTON IS SEXY, believe me.
Disadvantages: None.

...as their childrens department. I found that the childrens department is more innovative than other areas, and their fashions for kids are imaginative and well thought out, and that they wash well. The womens department is split into dressy clothes and casual and in the casual department, Marks and Spencers have a good range to cater for all shapes and sizes. FLOWERS I love the flowers that Marks and Spencers have both in their stores, and also available on net for delivery for special dates like Mothers Day, and I have never been disappointed. MAKE UP The make-up and accessory department sells good quality soaps, make-ups and accessories and I have tried these, and found that they were even good for me which is rare since I have skin allergies. HOUSEHOLD DEPARTMENT Now this is where Marks and Spencers come into their own. Good quality, excellent... Read review

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Advantages: nice food
Disadvantages: everything else

...Do you get the feeling that Marks & Spencer should give up and just close all of their stores down now? I have personally never shopped in Marks and Spencer and am even less likely to now that the clothes don't fit. Obviously at 5ft 10 and slim I am not normal and am therefore banned from buying M&S clothes. The quality of the clothing has gone down drastically in the last year, I know that they are in trouble and trying to cut costs but if we want cheap clothes there are plenty of other shops to choose from. If I have to think of a good point...ummmm...well the food is quite nice if you have recently won the lottery. The staff are quite friendly I suppose??... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: value for money, vast range of products
Disadvantages: bad name

...Over the past few years Marks and Spencers has gained itself a bad name for being a department store only elderly people shop at! With this image in mind Marks and Sparks has had terrible trouble attracting younger customers. So for those people who walk past M & S I suggest you go in and have a look I am sure you will be pleasantly surprised. Marks and Spencers is a great store for fashionable clothes for all ages. I personally think the under wear is great they have all different colours, patterns sizes of all the knickers and bras you could desire! Another favourite of mine is the food hall which is full of good quality grub. From snacks to banquets, full fat foods to the low fat count on us range. You are sure to find something to make your mouth water. M & S are shops in stores anything you desire you are more than likely to find... Read review

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Advantages: Worm and pleasant to shop in.
Disadvantages: Some items can be a little pricey.

...Well I must say Marks & Spencer is not to bad. It was my first visit to the store as I was looking all over the place to get something for my Mom and Gran. So I was just walking down the high street and I thought what the hell. So I went into Marks & Spencer to see what they have to offer. Well I was pleased by the amount of small gift idea's and a range or alcohol & chocolate Gift box. Very cheap as well. If I new what marks & Spencer had before. I would have saved allot of time. Right from when I walked in I was greeted by a nice, bright and worm atmosphere. Although I did feel a little uncomfortable as I was the only chap wearing Adidas and trainers whilst every one else was in some posh or decent clothing. But what the hell I though. I'd show em class lol. I only originally meant to look about for about 5 min's but I ended up... Read review

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Advantages: Well laid out, spacious shop floor
Disadvantages: Quality continuing to fall.

...I just thought I would add my twopence-halfpenny worth on the downfall of Marks and Spencer. As an ex-Marks & Spencer addict, I feel qualified to add my comments on just why they are failing so dismally to retain their status as the number one Department Store (certainly in the U.K). Just what has happened to Quality Control? Does it no longer exist or is a blind eye being turned to cheap materials and bad workmanship? Over the last few months I have had to return several garments which have completely frayed and worn out because of inferior material. Some of the garments actually shrank, despite careful handwashing and the hems fell down on others because of inadequate stitching techniques. I am one of an army of what I call lazy shoppers. I do not want to search high and low for high quality, medium priced clothes - hence my... Read review

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Advantages: Great selection
Disadvantages: Some things a little expensive

...MARKS AND SPENCER A Department store name which I am sure we are all-familiar with and am sure we all have a different opinion of so heres mine: <<>> 1884: Marks and Spencer was set up when Michael Marks formed a partnership with Tom Spencer, 1914: Marks and Spencer bought the Penny Bazaar Company and Michael Marks son Simon becomes Chairman. 1926 Marks and Spencer became a Public Company and began selling textiles. The first store opened In London's(Marble Arch)a year later they introduced a food section selling fresh produce and tins. 1926-1930: Many more stores were opened. 1930: Café bars were introduced into the store 1933: A staff welfare scheme was set up that provided pensions, subsided canteens, dental and health care. 1934: A scientific Research Lab was established headed by Dr Eric Kann... Read review

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Advantages: excellent food
Disadvantages: a little costly

...We have all heard the stories of how poorly Marks and Spencer’s is doing in the clothing department, although things have started to improve. One area Marks had proven to be extremely profitable is their food halls. Marks and Spencer without a doubt provide some of the best food around, albeit more expensive than a typical high street supermarket. The food halls at Marks and Spencer’s are usually brightly lit, although the ones I have been in haven’t been brilliantly laid out, and are certainly not we would now class as a typical sized supermarket. Indeed frequently (if not in all cases) Marks and Spencer food halls are placed in an existing clothing shop. Prices are a little steep, but their food products are quality, and any unused food (at least sandwiches) is given to the local homeless when the shop shuts. Hence... Read review

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