Rise & Fall of Marks & Spencer

by Judi Bevan

For decades Marks & Spencer was unassailable. It was the most successful retailer in the world. Its clothes were a byword for affordable quality and its food halls pioneered ready-prepared meals. It cared for its staff, the City loved it - the company was the perfect British success story. But then so suddenly that it took everyone by surprise Britain's best loved chain went down the tube. Customers abandoned the shops - suddenly they were they were dowdy, the staff deserted in droves and the shares plummeted. What went wrong?

Genres: Business, Nonfiction

288 pages, Hardcover

First published October 28, 2001

Reviews

[E · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marks & Spencer is more than a British retailer of smart fashions at good value; it has deep roots in the British psyche. Generations have worked for the company or its suppliers, taking pride in its successes and suffering through its troubles. Judi Bevan captures that story in this lively, compelling history, introducing you to all of its executives and primary players. The store changed over time as the founders and their descendants finally gave way to professional managers who viewed M&S as a vehicle for personal ambition rather than as a family institution. To be fair, the world was changing, but the push for profits at all costs betrayed the company’s principles. Chairman Stuart Rose has revived the company’s culture while helping it flourish in a modern competitive environment. Therein lies a tale that getAbstract warmly recommends.

[Dave · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has taken me so long to read. I really only picked it up because I work in a warehouse for a company that does distribution for m&s. I found the first half droned on a bit but frequently chucked me some interesting piece of interesting information you keep me turning the pages. The second half was really lacking in the interesting morsels of the first half though. Unfortunately I felt I had to finish the book because my GM wanted to borrow it. I may never read another business book again if this is what they're like.

2.65 stars

[Paul Oneill · Rating 4 out of 5]

A weighty book to get through, a good read. Definitely one to read at some point if you like business books. There are others which would rank above this and certainly not making a top 50 of all time

[Stefan N · Rating 4 out of 5]

A surprisingly interesting book if a bit out of date by now.

[Paul Waring · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book on the history of M&S up until around 2007. Would love to read a sequel or updated edition covering to the present day.

[Georgina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fascinating! At times, it feels like I'm reading Catherine Cookson when it tells of the founding of Marks & Spencer with the penny bazaar....