M&S to shake up clothing business

M&S chief exective Marc Bolland is expected to shake up the retailer's clothing business strategy. Bolland wants to see the retailer’s clothing arm organised more around its in-house brands, the bulk of which he kept as part of his plans

for the group.

After ditching the Portfolio range for the older woman, Mr Bolland decided to retain sub-brands including the denim-inspired Indigo range, Limited Collection, Autograph and Per Una, pledging to transform them from “labels to real brands”.

M&S is in talks on setting its budget for its next financial year, beginning on April 1, and some organisational changes are expected to follow to align the group’s structure more closely with the priorities outlined by Mr Bolland.

As part of the adjustments, Mr Bolland is also looking for a number of brand managers to oversee the labels.

The budget discussions, taking place over the next few months, will take in all aspects of the business, including its food arm, and the retailer’s cost base.

M&S insiders have been braced for further changes since Mr Bolland set out his strategy last autumn. While he outlined his plans for the business, he left the group’s organisational structure and personnel largely intact.

The developments come amid a plethora of senior management changes at Britain’s biggest retailers. Tesco has appointed a new UK board to revive its sales in its domestic market, while Dalton Philips, chief executive of Morrison, has made a raft of senior appointments. J Sainsbury is looking to fill key roles in its non-food business with new heads of clothing and general merchandise.

Image: M&S SS11
Source: FT©