Competitive Strategies Case Study

Marks & Spencer: A Bright Future?

OR

Abstract:
M&S is a leading retailer of clothing, foods and home products in the United Kingdom. M&S had ruled the retail world and reaped profits for years. By the end of 1998 though, the company started facing problems. It went through a phase of bad decisions, complacency, and board room battles which pushed it into a crisis that lasted for several years. After selling off some of its stores and bringing about changes, in 2006, M&S was growing again and regaining profitability. The market scenario had changed though and M&S was no more the iconic brand it once was, rather, it was less than one quarter of the size of Tesco - UK's largest and most profitable retailer in 2006. Could M&S once again gain its position in the market?

Pedagogical Objectives:

• To understand the factors leading to the decline of Mark & Spencer
• To discuss the strategies of Mark & Spencer to revive its business
• To discuss brand revival strategy of the Mark & Spencer.

Keywords : Marks & Spencer chargecard; Richard greenbury; Competitive Strategies Case Study; Per Una Due; Stuart Rose; Simply food stores

Contents : 
The Growth Period
Troubled Times at M&S
M&S’s Three-year Turnaround Plan
Marks & Spencer’s Timeline
M&S’s Financial Performance - 1996-2006
M&S’s Sales Breakdown in 2005