* Tesco says sales for past 19 weeks to January 3 were down 2.9% * Plan to cut jobs, shut stores and head office and sell-off parts of business * But six weeks over Christmas were better than expected - only a 0.3% drop
* M&S suffered 5.8% drop in general merchandise sales - mainly clothing * Boss Marc Bolland under pressure after 14th consecutive sales fall
[i can't say I'm surprised about M&S, we've got a huge one near us, and I haven't seen anything I want to buy in there for ages. I used to be given an M&S gift card for Christmas from work, and really struggled to find something to spend it on.
They were talking about this on the radio earlier. Basically Tesco seems to be in the tish because people's shopping habits have changed and we are moving back to shopping local (rather than using superstores) and shopping two or three times a week rather than doing one big shop. Overall spending on the weekly shop has dropped so people are spending less and, the theory is, wasting less ... which actually is a good thing if less food is being wasted.
Now that doesn't explain M&S. I went in yesterday. I love their deodorants so popped in for those. I can't say I saw anything else that caught my eye as I walked through. M&S still gets my "knickers and tights" money but in the past I would have bought basics there ... simple tops, yoga pants and that kind of thing ... but recently I've found that TU at Sains has really good options at better prices and similar quality. I've never bought loads from M&S. I bought at Christmas time was a man's sweater with a gift receipt so he could return if if he wanted. I did also buy some amazing cuff links though that were a darned good rip off of a Paul Smith classic. They were a tenner I think. And the person I gave them to loved them. He knew they were Paul Smith obviously but he loved them nonetheless.
I bought a couple of cardis from M&S last year. Really nice, peplum style. They fitted well and came to about hip length. They weren't expensive but there is bugger all anywhere near as stylish this year. I also bought a viscose butterfly print scarf last year. Its lovely but again nothing anywhere near as stylish this year. Lots of scarves but nothing stand out.
M&S have been in slow decline since they stopped being British IMO. Both stores have lost it big time the last 5 years or so, especially Tesco. I been there to shop this morning and the store is simply chaotic. They spent two months "improving your experience" last autumn, and have managed to make it even worse than was, and not addressed any of the real issues.
I saw the thing about Tesco this morning. We have 3 stores here - gawd knows why! - so I'm guessing we may lose one. The in-town one is probably unlikely as it serves quite a lot of people who can't get to the out of town ones. It also counts as a mega store doing clothes, electrical and household stuff. Knowing my luck it will be the one nearest us that goes which means my Tesco shopping trips will be few and far between. As well as being across the other side of town, the other store is horrible - gives me the willies for some reason!!
As for Marks, we have an outlet and, recently, a new food store. I haven't been to a proper store in years. MIL always gives me M&S vouchers for my birthday and I usually manage to find something in the outlet. I suppose I could buy food with it now - salted caramel sauce maybe *drools*! (I eat it straight out of the jar with a spoon!)
I've got no sympathy. It ticks me off that when I've paid my bill in Tesco they tell me I've got £x off my next shop because certain lines are cheaper in other supermarkets. My answer - take the money off my bill now then & don't hope I forget to bring this till receipt with me next time I shop here.
Post by Berry McPaper-cuts on Jan 8, 2015 15:30:06 GMT
I get my Tesco shopping delivered so I don't have to trail round the store- for some reason it comes not from the one in my town but 'up the valley' in Haslingden and quite often does not stock stuff I have seen in the town one when I have nipped in as when returning stuff to Next, which is next door.I like the Home Delivery because in bad weather I can lurk at home as due to the three hills in and out we get gridlock.The van drivers are all excellent and really helpful. I don't use the very local one except my micellar water is being sent there. The M&S website is truly awful as are the latest clothes they have had and I have transferred my business to Next for the moment.
Need to add for Mim that I get a code to use if my shopping would be cheaper elsewhere sent by e-mail by Tesco, plus the petrol which Mr FP uses.
It's rather a journey to get to the nearest Tesco, so I haven't shopped there in years. As for M&S, we have a food store not far away and it gets much of my business. In...whizz round...and back out again is the way I like to shop these days! As for the clothes, their website is off putting and the choice is pretty abysmal...for me. Any odds and sods I order like skin products or kids clothes for our little ones....then I get them delivered free to our local food store.
M&S lost the plot years ago, they were out of step with what their customers wanted thinking they had a loyal customer base that would always be there they failed to see that that demographic were getting older and they did nothing to attract any new one's. Then when the penny finally dropped and they realised they were losing money they changed to far eastern suppliers and the poor quality drove everyone away!
People who are wrong are just as sure they're right as people who are right, the only difference is they're wrong
We inherited a few M&S shares some years ago when they were worth next to nothing so kept them in the hope of world domination and opted for more shares rather than the dividend (or whatever it's called. You can see I have my finger on the economic pulse of this household!).
On the increasingly rare occasions we get a statement, they include a couple of discount codes and a voucher for a free coffee in the cafe.
The only time I ever shop there is to get my Christmas loo rolls or an egg mayo and tomato sandwich.
I suppose the shares will be worth zilch again now.
Don't ask me what I think of you, I might not give the answer that you want me to.
They used to have a different theme each year for both loo rolls and kitchen rolls but they've been gold stars on a cream background two years running - but, to be fair I didn't bother this year.
My favourites were green trees with a little red dot at the top on a white ground. Four in a pack and that's just enough for the festive season.
They also do Seasonal washing up liquid but I never get that.
Don't ask me what I think of you, I might not give the answer that you want me to.