Editing Marks & Spencer (section)

===21st century===
====Financial decline====
[[File:M & S, Inverness (1998).png|thumb|M&S shop in [[Inverness]] in 1998]]
M&S's profits peaked in the financial year 1997–1998.<ref name="profit">{{cite news|date=19 May 1998|title=Marks & Spencer profits top expectations|work=BBC News|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/96531.stm|access-date=7 November 2009}}</ref> At the time it was seen as a continuing success story, but with hindsight it is considered that during Sir [[Richard Greenbury]]'s tenure as head of the company, profit margins were pushed to untenable levels, and the loyalty of its customers was seriously eroded. Another factor was the company's refusal until 2001 to accept any credit cards except its own chargecard.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ciao.co.uk/Marks_Spencer_Chargecard__Review_5001590 |title=Marks & Spencer storecard fading value |publisher=Ciao.co.uk |access-date=18 April 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100724031156/http://www.ciao.co.uk/Marks_Spencer_Chargecard__Review_5001590 |archive-date=24 July 2010 |url-status=dead  }}</ref> These factors combined to send M&S into a sudden slump: its profits fell from more than a billion pounds in 1997 and 1998, to £145&nbsp;million in the year ended 31 March 2001.<ref>{{cite news |title=Marks & Spencer: A recent history |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/retailandconsumer/2792584/Marks-and-Spencer-A-recent-history.html |access-date=5 February 2025 |work=[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]] |date=2 July 2008 |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200603070116/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/retailandconsumer/2792584/Marks-and-Spencer-A-recent-history.html |archive-date=3 June 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2002, with changes in its business focus such as accepting credit cards, the introduction of the "Per Una" clothing range designed by [[George Davies (retailer)|George Davies]], and a redesign of its underlying business model, profits recovered somewhat.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/retailandconsumer/2794432/Marks-and-Spencer-loses-Per-Una-design-director.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/retailandconsumer/2794432/Marks-and-Spencer-loses-Per-Una-design-director.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Marks & Spencer loses Per Una design director|newspaper=The Telegraph|date=7 August 2008|access-date=9 April 2017}}{{cbignore}}</ref> In 2004, M&S was in the throes of an attempted takeover by [[Arcadia Group]] and [[British Home Stores|BHS]] boss, [[Philip Green]].<ref name="green">{{cite news|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0DQA/is_2000_Feb_17/ai_59870857 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016211356/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0DQA/is_2000_Feb_17/ai_59870857 |url-status=dead |archive-date=16 October 2015 |title=Green drops Marks & Spencer bid |publisher=Findarticles.com |access-date=18 April 2011 |year=2000 }}</ref> On 12 July a recovery plan was announced which would involve selling off its financial services business [[M&S Bank|M&S Money]] to [[HSBC (United Kingdom)|HSBC Bank]], buying control of the ''Per Una'' range, closing the [[Gateshead]] Lifestore and stopping the expansion of its Simply Food line of shops. [[Philip Green]] withdrew his takeover bid after failing to get sufficient backing from shareholders.<ref name="green"/><ref>The book- "Marks in time" by Orionbooks.co.uk (2009)</ref>

In February 2007, M&S announced the opening of the world's largest M&S shop outside the UK at [[Dubai Festival City]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dubai.mconet.biz/index.php?action=fullnews&id=282535&category=884&category_name= |title=Dubai Online |publisher=Dubai.mconet.biz |access-date=7 November 2009 }}{{dead link|date=June 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> On 2 October 2008, M&S opened its first mainland China shop which is in [[Shanghai]]. Problems with the supply chain for the first few months of opening led Stuart Rose, M&S chairman, to describe failures in "basic shopkeeping".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/2bac61ae-f6e2-11dd-8a1f-0000779fd2ac.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221210/http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/2bac61ae-f6e2-11dd-8a1f-0000779fd2ac.html |archive-date=10 December 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=M&S admits Shanghai errors |first = Patti | last = Waldmeir |work=Financial Times |date=9 February 2009 |access-date=19 December 2009}}</ref>

====Restructuring====
[[File:Interior of Marks & Spencer, Kirkgate, Wakefield, West Yorkshire (8th December 2020) 003.jpg|thumb|right|The interior of a branch in [[Wakefield, West Yorkshire]] in 2020]]
Twenty-two unprofitable and minor food stores, including branches in [[Ripon]] and [[Balham]], were closed in early 2009 as part of a cost-cutting measure.<ref name="marksintime"/> In August 2010, it was confirmed that the [[Grantham]] branch of M&S would close, along with two other [[Lincolnshire]] branches in [[Skegness]] and [[Scunthorpe]], owing to low sales in these older format stores. These decisions met with protests from the local communities and petitions were signed in support of retaining the stores, although the closures went ahead.<ref>BBC News Lincolnshire 25 August 2010 [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-11076135 'M&S confirms three store closures in Lincolnshire'] Retrieved 25 August 2010</ref>

The Retail Knowledge Bank conducted an audit of the company's brands in August 2010, and revealed that sales of womenswear were at a 10-year low. ''[[Drapers (magazine)|Drapers]]'' magazine claimed that Per Una was the only clothing brand not at risk of being axed while [[Marc Bolland]], the chief executive, considered which brands would be retained.<ref name="telegraph.co.uk">{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/retailandconsumer/8098977/MandS-plans-to-take-Twiggy-international.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/retailandconsumer/8098977/MandS-plans-to-take-Twiggy-international.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=M&S plans to take Twiggy international|last=Hall|first=James|date=30 October 2010|work=The Daily Telegraph|location=London}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

In October 2010, chairman Sir Stuart Rose was a signatory to a letter to ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]''<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/letters/8069609/Osbornes-cuts-will-strengthen-Britains-economy-by-allowing-the-private-sector-to-generate-more-jobs.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/letters/8069609/Osbornes-cuts-will-strengthen-Britains-economy-by-allowing-the-private-sector-to-generate-more-jobs.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Osborne's cuts will strengthen Britain's economy by allowing the private sector to generate more jobs |work=The Daily Telegraph |location=UK |date=18 October 2010 |access-date=18 April 2011}}{{cbignore}}</ref> which stated that "The private sector should be more than capable of generating additional jobs to replace those lost in the public sector, and the redeployment of people to more productive activities will improve economic performance, so generating more employment opportunities", despite recent job cuts of 1,000 staff.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110612031348/http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/economics/article5455026.ece M&S cuts 1,000 jobs as fashion sales dive], Helen Power and Marcus Leroux, ''The Times'', 6 January 2009 </ref>

On 9 November 2010, Bolland revealed plans to strengthen the company's overall brand image and targeting sales of between £800&nbsp;million and £1&nbsp;billion for which company will increase capital expenditure to £850&nbsp;million to £900&nbsp;million over the next three years to fund the plans.<ref name="reuters.com">{{cite news| url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSLDE6A70V420101109 |work=Reuters   | first=Mark | last=Potter | title=UPDATE 5-Marks & Spencer's new CEO lifts investment | date=9 November 2010}}</ref> The plan also involved the discontinuation of its 'Portfolio' fashion brand and the sale of electrical products. The company announced a new marketing strapline, 'Only at M&S', and that it would revamp its website.<ref name="htanna">{{cite web|title=M&S plans £900m capital expenditure to boost sales|url=http://www.newstatesman.com/economy/2010/11/sales-plans-1bn-operations|work=2010 plans for expansion|access-date=11 November 2010}}</ref> Bolland ordered a new store design in May 2011, and it was announced that the company would spend around £600&nbsp;million between 2011 and 2014 on its UK stores.<ref name="telegraph2">{{cite news| url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/retailandconsumer/8534666/2bn-Marks-and-Spencer-makeover-less-than-inspiring.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/retailandconsumer/8534666/2bn-Marks-and-Spencer-makeover-less-than-inspiring.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live | title=£2bn Marks & Spencer makeover 'less than inspiring'|date=25 May 2011|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=25 March 2012|first=James|last=Hall|location=London}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

In May 2013, some Marks & Spencer customers claimed  that the chain's [[contactless payment]] terminals have taken money from cards other than the ones intended for payment. Contactless cards are supposed to be within about 4&nbsp;cm of the front of the terminal to work. M&S investigated the incident and confirmed the new system had been extensively tested and was robust. It had rolled out the contactless payments system, provided by Visa Europe, to 644 UK stores.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-22545804|title=Contactless 'charging errors' at Marks and Spencer|date=18 May 2013|access-date=12 March 2014|work=BBC News}}</ref>

In May 2013, the ''Best of British'' range was launched along with an overhaul of ''Per Una'' and ''Indigo''.<ref name="mirror1">{{cite web |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/money/city-news/marks-spencer-fashion-launch-slick-1889943 |title=Marks and Spencer fashion launch was slick but what matters is what core customers think |work=Daily Mirror |last=Hiscott |first=Graham |date=15 May 2013 |access-date=22 July 2013}}</ref> Patrick Bousquet-Chavanne became the marketing director, succeeding Steven Sharp in July. Bolland vowed to bring "quality and style back".<ref name="autogenerated2">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-22546823 |title=M&S tries to boost sales with new clothing range |work=BBC News |date=15 May 2013 |access-date=22 July 2013}}</ref><ref name="autogenerated3">{{cite news|first=Emma |last=Simpson |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-22533986 |title=M&S tries to lure back shoppers with new fashion ranges |work=BBC News |date=14 May 2013 |access-date=22 July 2013}}</ref> In November 2013, it was revealed that Bill Adderley, founder of homeware chain [[Dunelm Group]], had built a £250&nbsp;million stake in M&S over the past 18 months. This disclosure was made under stock market rules which require any holding larger than a 3 per cent share to be made public.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/business-news/business-headlines/yorkshire-retail-entrepreneur-builds-up-250m-stake-in-m-s-1-6212162|title=Yorkshire retail entrepreneur builds up £250m stake in M&S|newspaper=Yorkshire Evening Post|access-date=12 March 2014}}</ref>

In December 2013, Marks & Spencer announced that Muslim checkout staff in the UK could refuse to sell pork products or alcohol to customers at their till.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/ms-says-muslim-staff-may-refuse-to-serve-customers-pork-and-alcohol-9020982.html |title=M&S says Muslim staff may refuse to serve customers pork and alcohol |work=The Independent |date=22 December 2013 |access-date=22 December 2013 |location=London |first1=Adam |last1=Withnall |first2=Alex |last2=Delmar-Morgan}}</ref> The policy was announced after at least one news outlet reported that customers waiting with goods that included pork or alcohol were refused service, and were told by a Muslim checkout worker to wait until another till became available.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/retailandconsumer/10532782/Muslim-staff-at-Marks-and-Spencer-can-refuse-to-sell-alcohol-and-pork.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/retailandconsumer/10532782/Muslim-staff-at-Marks-and-Spencer-can-refuse-to-sell-alcohol-and-pork.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Muslim staff at Marks & Spencer can refuse to sell alcohol and pork |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=21 December 2013 |access-date=22 December 2013 |location=London |first=Robert |last=Mendick}}{{cbignore}}</ref> The policy applied across all 703 UK M&S stores and prompted a strong backlash by customers.<ref>{{cite news |title=M&S faces furious backlash from customers over Muslim policy |url=http://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/m-faces-furious-backlash-customers-174843463.html |work=Yahoo News |date=22 December 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160103021213/https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/m-faces-furious-backlash-customers-174843463.html |archive-date=3 January 2016 }}</ref> A company spokesman subsequently apologised and stated that they will attempt to reassign staff whose beliefs may impact their work to different departments, such as clothing.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://bbc.co.uk/news/business-25488259 |title=M&S apology over Muslim alcohol refusal |work=BBC News |date=22 December 2013 |access-date=23 December 2013}}</ref>

On 7 January 2016, it was announced that Marc Bolland, who has been CEO since 2010, would step down on 2 April 2016, and be replaced by [[Steve Rowe (businessman)|Steve Rowe]], head of clothing, and previously head of the food business.<ref name=Guardian_20160107>{{cite news|last1=Butler|first1=Sarah|last2=Kollewe|first2=Julia|title=M&S boss Marc Bolland to step down|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/jan/07/ms-boss-marc-bolland-to-step-down|access-date=7 January 2016|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=7 January 2016}}</ref> In 2018, [[Stuart Machin]] was appointed managing director of Food to lead the transformation of the food business.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://anthonygregg.com/move-week-ms-new-food-md-stuart-machin/|title=Move of the week: M&S' new food MD Stuart Machin|publisher=Anthony Gregg|date=23 March 2018|access-date=22 May 2020}}</ref> On 28 June 2024, the company announced that it would be launching a new service for clothing repairs and alterations in partnership with the Sojo company.<ref>{{cite news|date=28 June 2024 |title=Marks & Spencer to launch clothing repairs service |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cpe35e7kgnzo |access-date=1 July 2024 |website=BBC News}}</ref>

In September 2018, television presenter and model [[Holly Willoughby]] became the company's new brand ambassador along with her 'Must Have' collection which launched on 27 September 2018. However, the company failed to order sufficient stock and many customers were left disappointed.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/fashion/style/g23124252/holly-willoughby-marks-and-spencer-collection/|title=The curse of Willoughby: it's great Holly's M&S range sells out – but not so for the rest of us|newspaper=The Telegraph|date=7 March 2019|access-date=22 May 2019}}</ref>

Marks & Spencer introduced a hijab in its section of school uniforms in late 2018 and subsequently faced a backlash and boycott from some customers; the product is stocked for girls as young as three.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/ms-started-selling-hijabs-its-15268756|title=M&S has started selling hijabs made for children as young as three|last=Hodgson|first=Sarah|date=12 October 2018|work=[[Daily Post (North Wales)]]|access-date=13 October 2018}}</ref>

====Store culls====
Some 30 stores were identified for closure in 2015–2016.<ref name="auto2">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/jul/29/marks-spencer-local-anger-confirming-store-closures-nine-shops|title=Marks & Spencer triggers local anger after confirming store closures|first=Graham|last=Ruddick|date=29 July 2015|work=The Guardian}}</ref><ref name="newsshopper.co.uk">{{cite news|url=http://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/11252488.UPDATE__Woolwich_M_S_to_close__with_Lewisham_store_losing_a_floor/|title=UPDATE: Woolwich M&S to close, with Lewisham store losing a floor|date=3 June 2014|work=newsshopper.co.uk}}</ref><ref name="auto1">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/nov/08/m-and-s-marks-spencer-close-80-stores-major-overhaul|title=M&S to close 30 UK stores and cut back on clothing|first=Zoe|last=Wood|date=8 November 2016|work=The Guardian}}</ref> Several smaller stores were identified for closure in November 2017.<ref>{{cite web|last=Davey |first=James |url=https://uk.yahoo.com/news/marks-spencer-speed-change-profits-fall-again-072111338--finance.html |title=M&S to speed up store closures as profits fall |date=8 November 2017 |publisher=Uk.yahoo.com |access-date=10 November 2017}}</ref><ref name="yahoo1">{{cite web|url=https://uk.yahoo.com/news/m-signals-more-store-closures-071700147.html |title=M&S signals more store closures ahead in transformation plan |publisher=Uk.yahoo.com |date=15 September 2017 |access-date=10 November 2017}}</ref> On 31&nbsp;January 2018, another fourteen stores were identified for closure in April 2018,<ref name="BBC31012018">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-42886154|title=Marks and Spencer plans to close up to 14 stores|work=BBC News|date=31 January 2018|access-date=1 February 2018}}</ref> and eight other stores were earmarked for closure later, pending consultation.<ref name="BBC31012018" /><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/ms-which-shops-are-closing-14225884|title=Marks and Spencer to shut store in Stockport and Denton as closures put hundreds of jobs at risk|work=Manchester Evening News|date=31 January 2018|access-date=1 February 2018}}</ref> On 23 May 2018, M&S managers confirmed that 14 more shops were to be closed and another 86 were under investigation, and thus put on notice, because of falling corporate sales and customer footfall. This would take the total to over 100 closing by 2022,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-44197128|title=M&S to close 100 stores by 2022|work=BBC News|date=22 May 2018}}</ref><ref name="yahoo.com2">{{cite web|url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/m-store-closures-full-list-072800891.html|title=Marks and Spencer store closures – full list: Which shops is the retailer shutting around the UK?|website=www.yahoo.com|date=23 May 2018 }}</ref><ref name="yahoo.com1">{{cite web|url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/m-confirms-14-more-shops-092928845.html|title=M&S confirms 14 more shops to be axed taking total to over 100|website=www.yahoo.com|date=22 May 2018 }}</ref><ref name="auto">{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2018/05/23/ms-profits-plunge-store-closure-costs/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2018/05/23/ms-profits-plunge-store-closure-costs/ |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=M&S profits plunge 62pc amid sweeping store closure plans|first=Ben|last=Woods|newspaper=The Telegraph|date=23 May 2018|via=www.telegraph.co.uk}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/view/articles/2018-05-23/m-amp-s-takes-its-medicine|title=Analysis – M&S Takes Its Medicine|first=Andrea Felsted |last=Bloomberg|newspaper=Bloomberg |date=23 May 2018|via=www.washingtonpost.com}}</ref> On 15&nbsp;January 2019, the company named the next 17 stores to be closed.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-46876749|title=M&S names next 17 stores it wants to close|date=15 January 2019|access-date=16 January 2019}}</ref> In May 2021, the company announced plans to close another 30 shops over the next 10&nbsp;years as part of its turnaround plan,<ref name="BBC News"/> and in September 2021 it was confirmed that half of the French stores had been closed due to supply chain issues arising from [[Brexit]].<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1">{{cite web|url=https://www.france24.com/fr/france/20210917-brexit-plus-de-la-moiti%C3%A9-des-magasins-marks-spencer-ferment-leurs-portes-en-france|title=Brexit : plus de la moitié des magasins Marks & Spencer ferment leurs portes en France|date=17 September 2021|website=France 24}}</ref> In its results for the 52 weeks ending on 30 March 2024, the company stated that it was aiming at having 180 full-line and 420 food stores in the UK, commenting that legacy stores were more expensive to operate.<ref name=results2024>{{cite web | title=Marks and Spencer Group Plc Full Year Results for 52 Weeks Ended 30 March 2024| date=22 May 2024| url=https://corporate.marksandspencer.com/media/press-releases/marks-and-spencer-group-plc-full-year-results-52-weeks-ended-30-march-2024|quote=... performance is constrained by legacy stores that are more expensive to operate ... Rotation towards a target estate of 180 full line and 420 Food stores...}}</ref>

In March 2021, M&S announced it intended to redevelop its largest store, the Marble Arch branch on [[Oxford Street]] in London, replacing it with a 10-storey building with two-and-a-half floors of shop space below several floors of offices.<ref name="Butler-07Mar2022">{{cite news |last1=Butler |first1=Sarah |title=M&S to redevelop big Oxford Street store as shoppers move online |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/mar/09/m-and-s-oxford-street-store-marks-spencer-covid-crisis |access-date=21 April 2022 |work=Guardian |date=7 March 2021}}</ref> Despite protests from groups including [[Save Britain's Heritage]], [[The Twentieth Century Society]] and Create Streets, the plans were approved by [[Westminster City Council]] in November 2021,<ref name="Ing-24Nov2022">{{cite news |last1=Ing |first1=Will |title=M&S's Oxford Street store to be demolished under Pilbrow & Partners plans |url=https://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/mss-oxford-street-store-to-be-demolished-under-pilbrow-partners-plans |access-date=21 April 2022 |work=Architects' Journal |date=24 November 2021}}</ref> and [[Mayor of London]] [[Sadiq Khan]] chose not to intervene.<ref name="Goldfingle-12Apr2022">{{cite news |last1=Goldfingle |first1=Gemma |title=M&S Marble Arch store to be demolished as Sadiq Khan opts not to intervene |url=https://www.retailgazette.co.uk/blog/2022/04/ms-marble-arch-store-to-be-demolished-as-sadiq-khan-opts-not-to-intervene/ |access-date=21 April 2022 |work=Retail Gazette |date=12 April 2022}}</ref> However, in April 2022, Communities Secretary [[Michael Gove]] blocked the plans to allow time for the [[Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities]] to review the proposed redevelopment.<ref name="Hurst-20Apr2022">{{cite news |last1=Hurst |first1=Will |title=M&S Oxford St demolition scheme halted by Gove |url=https://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/ms-oxford-st-demolition-scheme-halted-by-gove |access-date=21 April 2022 |work=Architects' Journal |date=20 April 2022}}</ref> In June 2022, Gove ordered a public enquiry into the plans; M&S said it was "bewildered" by his "baseless" decision.<ref name="Rogers-22Jun2022">{{cite news |last1=Rogers |first1=Dave |title=M&S turns guns on Gove and says decision over Oxford Street rebuild is 'bewildering' |url=https://www.building.co.uk/news/mands-turns-guns-on-gove-and-says-decision-over-oxford-street-rebuild-is-bewildering/5118055.article |access-date=22 June 2022 |work=Building |date=22 June 2022}}</ref> A two-week planning enquiry, starting in October 2022, looked at whether the project complied with planning rules concerning heritage and the historic environment and also address environmental concerns, notably the release of almost 40,000 tonnes of [[embodied carbon]] into the atmosphere caused by the construction of the replacement structure.<ref name="Hurst-21Oct2022">{{cite news |last1=Hurst |first1=Will |title=Demolition in the dock: Why the M&S Oxford St public inquiry really matters |url=https://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/this-is-not-just-any-public-inquiry |access-date=21 October 2022 |work=Architects' Journal |date=21 October 2022}}</ref> 

In July 2023, Gove rejected the plans to demolish and redevelop the Oxford Street store, stating it conflicted with policies on heritage and design, and involved significant embodied carbon impact and waste.<ref name="AJ-20Jul2023">{{cite news |last1=Waite |first1=Richard |last2=Highfield |first2=Anna |last3=Hurst |first3=Will |title=BREAKING: Gove rejects M&S Oxford Street demolition |url=https://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/breaking-gove-rejects-ms-oxford-street-demolition |access-date=20 July 2023 |work=Architects' Journal |date=20 July 2023}}</ref> As well as overruling Westminster City Council and the Mayor of London, Gove also overruled his planning inspector, David Nicholson, who had recommended the project should go ahead due to its importance to the viability of the Oxford Street area.<ref name="Butler-20Jul2023">{{cite news |last1=Butler |first1=Sarah |title=Marks & Spencer refused permission to demolish and rebuild Oxford Street store |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/jul/20/marks-spencer-refused-permission-to-demolish-and-rebuild-oxford-street-store |access-date=20 July 2023 |work=Guardian |date=20 July 2023}}</ref> M&S CEO Stuart Machin called the decision "utterly pathetic" and a "shortsighted act of self-sabotage".<ref name="AJ-20Jul2023"/> M&S subsequently launched a legal challenge against Gove's decision.<ref name="Prior-31Aug2023">{{cite news |last1=Prior |first1=Grant |title=M&S launches legal challenge to Gove store rebuild rebuff |url=https://www.constructionenquirer.com/2023/08/31/ms-launches-legal-challenge-to-gove-store-rebuild-rebuff/ |access-date=1 September 2023 |work=Construction Enquirer |date=31 August 2023}}</ref> In November 2023, the High Court allowed M&S to proceed with a [[judicial review]],<ref name="AJ-21Nov2023">{{cite news |last1=Waite |first1=Richard |last2=Highfield |first2=Anna |last3=Hurst |first3=Will |title=M&S clears first hurdle in legal challenge to Gove's Oxford St refusal |url=https://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/ms-clears-first-hurdle-in-legal-challenge-to-goves-oxford-st-refusal |access-date=21 November 2023 |work=Architects' Journal |date=21 November 2023}}</ref> and after a two-day hearing on 13–14 February 2024, Gove's decision to block demolition was quashed by a High Court judge on 1 March 2024.<ref name="Hurst-01Mar2024">{{cite news |last1=Hurst |first1=Will |title=M&S wins High Court battle over Gove's Oxford Street decision |url=https://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/ms-wins-high-court-battle-over-goves-oxford-street-decision |access-date=1 March 2024 |work=Architects' Journal |date=1 March 2024}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{cite web |date=1 March 2024 |title=M&S wins High Court appeal to tear down Marble Arch store |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cv2y5mm70l6o |access-date=2 March 2024 |website=BBC News }}</ref> In December 2024, Gove's successor [[Angela Rayner]] approved the store's demolition, citing the advantages of a concentrated development in a highly accessible location, the employment and regeneration benefits, and "potential harm to the vitality and viability" of London's West End if permission had been refused.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Pitcher |first1=Greg |title=Rayner approves M&S Oxford Street plans |url=https://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/ms-oxford-street-demolition-deciscion |access-date=5 December 2024 |work=Architects' Journal |date=5 December 2024}}</ref>

====New management====
In May 2021, Machin's remit had expanded as he was appointed joint Chief Operating Officer taking oversight responsibility for Store and Central Operations, Property, Store Development, Technology, People and the Island of Ireland whilst remaining the Food Managing Director.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thegrocer.co.uk/marks-and-spencer/mands-makes-machin-joint-chief-operating-officer-in-management-shake-up/656195.article|title=M&S makes Machin joint chief operating officer in management shake-up|first=Steve|last=Farrell|date=18 May 2021|website=The Grocer|accessdate=16 February 2022}}</ref> In March 2022, it was announced that chief executive (CEO) Steve Rowe would step down after six years in role. Rowe stayed on as an advisor before officially leaving the company in July 2022. Machin was announced as his successor as CEO, with [[Katie Bickerstaffe]] assisting as co-CEO.<ref>{{cite web |title=M&S boss announces departure after 'six successful years' |url=https://news.sky.com/story/m-s-boss-announces-departure-after-six-successful-years-12562415 |access-date=10 March 2022 |website=Sky News }}</ref>

==== Animal welfare ====
In July 2022, secret cameras at an intensive dairy farm in North Yorkshire that supplied milk and cheese to M&S, [[Ocado]], [[Asda]] and [[Morrisons]] captured lame animals "unable to get up to reach water" as some workers killed goats "of no value" at the intensive farm. Animals were seen with overgrown hooves and piles of dead goats were observed outside the property. A spokesperson for the [[British Retail Consortium]] said: "Our members take their responsibilities to animal welfare very seriously and will investigate these claims. Swift action will be taken against any breaches to the high animal welfare standards our members uphold."<ref>{{cite news |last=Dalton |first=Jane |date=9 July 2022 |title=Goats 'shoved and neglected' at show farm that supplies milk and cheese to M&S, Ocado, Asda and Morrisons |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/goats-milk-cheese-farm-m-s-ocado-asda-morrisons-b2113892.html |access-date=21 May 2024 |work=The Independent }}</ref> Marks & Spencer is a member of the [[RSPCA Assured]] food labelling scheme that states "any animals involved in a product's production have been reared to the RSPCA's strict farm animal welfare standards".<ref>{{cite web|date=2024|title=RSPCA Assured at Marks & Spencer|url=https://www.rspcaassured.org.uk/retailers/buy-at-marks-spencer|website=RSPCA|archive-date=16 October 2024|archive-url=https://archive.today/20241016161845/https://www.rspcaassured.org.uk/retailers/buy-at-marks-spencer/|url-status=live}}</ref> The scheme has been subject to controversy due to animal abuse being captured by hidden cameras at some farms, with the RSPCA president calling it "utterly indefensible".<ref>{{cite web |last=Gadher |first=Dipesh |date=8 June 2024 |title=Chris Packham: The truth at some RSPCA-assured farms makes me sick |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/society/article/chris-packham-rspca-assured-farms-nlgt0ngl3 |access-date=16 November 2024 |website=[[The Times]]}}</ref>

In April 2024, ''[[The Guardian]]'' obtained footage of pigs from RSPCA Assured farms at a slaughterhouse being hit in the face by workers with a paddle before entering a gas chamber to die. The [[RSPCA]] reviewed the footage and said the hitting of any animals was completely unacceptable and they would launch an immediate investigation.<ref>{{cite news |last=Dalton |first=Jane |date=3 April 2024 |title=Pigs hit in face before 'agonising' CO2 death at supplier for Tesco, Asda, Aldi and M&S |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/pigs-bacon-tesco-asda-aldi-mands-b2520254.html |access-date=21 May 2024 |work=The Independent }}</ref> In May 2024, animal welfare activists released footage that was filmed at several intensive RSPCA Assured farms that supplied meat to Marks & Spencer, [[Tesco]] and [[Asda]]. The footage showed sick, dying and dead hens alongside living ones. M&S suspended one of the farms.<ref>{{cite news |last=Dalton |first=Jane |date=9 May 2024 |title=Free-range hens suffering at egg farms supplying M&S, Tesco and Asda, animal rights activists say |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/free-range-eggs-tesco-mands-rspca-b2538181.html |access-date=21 May 2024 |work=The Independent }}</ref> In September 2024, undercover footage was released from an RSPCA Assured farm which supplied milk to M&S. Workers were observed mistreating cows, striking them with poles and kicking them. In one incident, a worker was seen jabbing a cow with a screwdriver.<ref name="Dalton 2024">{{cite web|last1=Dalton|first1=Jane|last2=Colley|first2=Claire|date=2024|title=Cows on farms supplying M&S and Muller kicked, punched, hit with chains and sworn at in shocking footage|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/cows-abuse-muller-marks-spencers-milk-rspca-b2611198.html|website=The Independent|archive-date=15 September 2024|archive-url=https://archive.today/20240915180542/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/cows-abuse-muller-marks-spencers-milk-rspca-b2611198.html|url-status=live}}</ref> M&S immediately suspended the farm from their supply chain when the footage was released. The RSPCA also suspended the farm. An M&S spokesperson said: "We take animal welfare extremely seriously and set rigorous standards for our suppliers."<ref name="Dalton 2024"/>

Marks & Spencer, along with [[Waitrose]] and other supermarkets, has phased out the practice of shrimps [[eyestalk ablation]] within its supply chain.<ref>{{cite news |last=Ungoed-Thomas |first=Jon |date=15 February 2025 |title=Waitrose to stop selling suffocated farmed prawns, as campaigners say they feel pain |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/feb/15/prawn-farming-cruelty-electrical-stunning-waitrose |access-date=9 May 2025 |work=The Guardian |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

====Acquisitions====
In July 2022, the company agreed to buy the logistics firm Gist Limited for £145&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/markets/deals/britains-ms-buy-logistics-firm-gist-2022-07-21/|title=Britain's M&S seeks food supply chain control with $173-mln Gist buyout|newspaper=Reuters |date=21 July 2022|via=www.reuters.com|accessdate=26 July 2022}}</ref> In November 2022, it was reported that the company had acquired the intellectual property developed by collapsed fashion marketplace Thread, and hired some former Thread staff including co-founder [[Kieran O'Neill]], with the aim of adding personalised recommendations to the M&S website.<ref>{{cite web |last=Shearsmith |first=Tom |date=30 November 2022 |title=Marks & Spencer acquires IP developed by collapsed fashion marketplace Thread |url=https://www.theindustry.fashion/marks-spencer-acquires-ip-developed-by-collapsed-fashion-marketplace-thread/ |access-date=1 December 2022 |website=TheIndustry.fashion }}</ref>

====2025 cyber incident====
In April 2025, M&S experienced difficulties with contactless payments and click-and-collect orders over the Easter weekend. On 23 April, Stuart Machin issued a statement confirming the business was dealing with a cyber incident. On 25 April, M&S stopped taking orders at its website.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cdxnkg7rln2o|title=M&S stops online orders and issues refunds after cyber attack|date=25 April 2025|newspaper=BBC News|access-date=26 April 2025}}</ref> The attack was believed to be a ransomware attack, orchestrated by [[Scattered Spider|'Scattered Spider']] – a splinter group of [[Lapsus$]] – a notorious hacking group responsible for high profile breaches at Transport for London ([[Transport for London|TfL]]) and [[MGM Resorts International|MGM resorts]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Koopman |first=Saskia |date=1 May 2025 |title=M&S and Co-op: UK retailers brace for cyber attacks |url=https://www.cityam.com/ms-and-co-op-uk-retailers-brace-for-cyber-attacks/ |access-date=2 May 2025 |website=City AM }}</ref> It appears that the attacker employed a SIM swapping technique to gain unauthorised access to the network and compromise M&S’s critical systems.<ref>{{cite web |last=Abroshan |first=Hossein |date=14 May 2025 |title=M&S cyberattacks used a little-known but dangerous technique – and anyone could be vulnerable |url=https://theconversation.com/mands-cyberattacks-used-a-little-known-but-dangerous-technique-and-anyone-could-be-vulnerable-256739/ |access-date=17 May 2025 |website= The Conversation }}</ref>

In May 2025, it was reported that M&S was preparing to make a claim under a [[cyber insurance]] policy to cover a wide range of losses, including but not restricted to Data Protection breaches and loss of online sales, which could total as much as £100&nbsp;million. [[Allianz]] was reported to be the lead insurer, with other insurers including [[Beazley plc]] also being exposed.<ref>{{cite web |last=Sellers |first=Matthew |date=14 May 2025 |title=Allianz, Beazley could be on the hook as M&S insurance claim expected to be £100m + |url=https://www.insurancebusinessmag.com/uk/news/cyber/allianz-beazley-could-be-on-the-hook-as-mands-insurance-claim-expected-to-be-100m--535626.aspx |access-date=14 May 2025 |website=www.insurancebusinessmag.com }}</ref>