Marks and Spencer 1998 Annual Report Download - page 11

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challenge is clear – to retain our position as the leading clothing retailer
in the UK, where our share in adult clothing continues to grow, while supporting
our expansion overseas.
We constantly upgrade our product ranges through innovation and
technical development. We now anticipate trends better and buy new fabrics and
colours with greater confidence, so appealing to our broad customer base through
a balance of styles – fashion and classic, formal and casual – across all our ranges.
Today’s more relaxed approach to dressing has enabled us to build sales in
our casual ranges for both women and men. O utstanding sales of women’s casual
trousers demonstrate our wide appeal, ranging from the fashionable bootleg shape
to more classic styling in cotton and Tencel*. We sell more pairs of women’s jeans
than any other UK retailer. We had exceptional success with velvet, chenille, fleece
and “ soft touch” fabrics. In each case close links with fabric suppliers and garment
manufacturers meant we could react swiftly within the season to maximise strong
early sales. We meet modern demands for comfort and convenience with our
growing use of stretch, non-iron and stain-resistant
fabrics. O ur technologists continue to work in
partnership with fabric and garment suppliers to deliver
the highest possible quality and performance.
Customers today want greater choice in fabric and price. We are
successfully tiering ranges to widen availability of premium fabrics, including
cashmere and silk, while adding to such classic ranges as high-quality wool. The
new Italian Collection for men and women broadens an already very strong range
in tailoring. As sales space expands we will offer a wider choice in greater depth.
In recent seasons our selection of footwear and accessories has advanced
rapidly to complement our clothing ranges. Stylish footwear is enabling us to gain
O ur
Clothing
footwear & gifts
Marks & Spencer is now the biggest single
retailer of womenÕs shoes in Britain Ð and this
proportion is rising steadily. Our freshly
relaunched Classics brand is the countr yÕs
four th largest name in cosmetics, while our
gold jeweller y has advanced from Christmas hit
to year-round favourite. Last year we introduced
the countryÕs top selling jazz CD. We are
constantly transforming more product areas into
dominant national contenders.
* Registered trade mark.
PROMINENCE IN MORE AREAS CONVENIENCE THROUGH TECHNOLOGY WIDER DEMAND FOR GIFTS
Technological breakthroughs continue to give
M&S the edge in delivering convenience. We
still score highly with past breakthroughs such
as non-iron cotton shirts, machine-washable
wool suits and stain-resistant Teflon*
protection. More recently, lingerie sales have
been boosted by body-sculpting styles that
shape the figure and by Ôsecret supportÕ
achieved through innovative blends of Lycra*
and other fibres.
UK gift-giving habits are changing. People now
buy presents for all types of occasion and,
increasingly, they are turning from designated
ÔgiftsÕ to traditional ranges such as clothing Ð
so long as these products have a touch of
lux ury. Marks & Spencer meets this demand
with more lux ury than ever before. From
cashmere jumpers to seamfree lingerie, gold
rings to dress waistcoats, we are clearly a
destination for buying the special as much as
CONTINUES ON PAGE 10
MA RKS A ND SPENCER p.l.c. 9