Is Marks & Spencer really losing its way?

MARKS & SPENCER is trying to save face by claiming it is closing stores to develop its online business. The problem is its uncompetitive prices and dated styling. M&S food is still very popular, but much cheaper supermarkets are upping their game. Is the company’s future in doubt? Probably not, but it can’t be complacent.

Diane Silva, Lytham, Lancs. For years, M&s has ignored teenage fashion. i have six granddaughters, none of whom would be seen dead in M&s. Why doesn’t it have a department for teens?

J. C. HUNTER, Chester-le-Street, durham. M&S sells good-quality, smart clothes. But look around the High Street in any town or city today and you’ll soon see that most people don’t want smart clothes; their look is casual and scruffy. It’s a shame.

MIKE ADAMS, Porth, Glamorgan. The M&s slump isn’t due to changing shopping habits. The truth is, M&s hasn’t listened to its clientele. its clothing ranges are drab, poorly made and expensive.

ROSALIE DAUBNEY, Evesham, Worcs. I STOPPED buying M&S products when they were no longer produced in Britain.

REId THOMAS, Frimley Green, Surrey. M&s keeps appointing some genius who will ‘turn around’ its ranges, but they never do — the results are still dated and drab. Wake up, M&s. Women would willingly pay a little more for your clothes if they were: (a) made in the UK; (b) stylish; (c) perfectly made; and (d) colourful.

KATHY AdAMS, Bristol. M&S boss Steve Rowe should stop blaming reduced profits on online shopping and pop into a few of his stores, noting the age, size and shape of his core customers — then start producing fashionable, inspiring clothing for women aged 40 and over.

Mrs A. PALMA, Borehamwood, Herts. M&s no longer caters for the over-50s. its designers should go to the Fashion and Textile Museum in london to see the 1920s Jazz Age exhibition and take a lesson from the beautiful clothes on show there.

Mrs vIvIEN WORRALL, Wolverhampton.