Marks and Spencer.

Marks & Spencer Financial Results Year Ended 2nd April 2011.

For the year M&S had sales of £9.7 billion (up 4.2%) and made a profit before tax of £714.3 million (up 12.9%). At the year end they had 703 stores in the UK and 361 wholly owned, partly owned or franchised stores in other countries. Food sales were up by 4.1% and in lingerie where more than 1 in British women buy from M&S they increased their market share to 21.6% helped by the launch of a range of bras that appear to increase the wearers cleavage by 2 cup sizes. Internet traffic was up 18% with some 24% of schoolwear and 45% of furniture bought online.

M&S Home Review.

Marks and Spencer was founded by a partnership between Michael Marks and Thomas Spencer. The first stall was opened in Kirkgate Market in Leeds. Today M&S have over 600 stores located in the UK and over 300 stores in 40 countries abroad and are the number one provider of womenswear and lingerie in the UK, and are rapidly growing their market share in menswear, kidswear, electricals and home furnishings  and are the 43rd largest retailer in the world. The largest UK stores are Marble Arch, Warrington and Leeds. The largest overseas M&S store is in Dubai. They also supply a number of insurance products including home insurance, car insurance and marks and spencer pet insurance.   One of the big growth drivers has been the M&S website where in the previous year M&S online sales increased by 19% to £324.4 million and are expected to reach £500 million by the end of 2010/2011. In recent years M&S have launched a number of own label brands like Autograph, Per Una, the indigo collection, Ceriso, Blue Harbour, Collezione, and North Coast and these brands have been a major success for the group and these are all available to buy on the Marks and Spencer online website. Delivery is available online to 80 countries including Australia, New Zealand, United States, Canada, France, Germany, Spain (includes coastal, Canary and Balearic Islands) , Albania, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Moldova, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland,  Argentina, Armenia, Bangladesh, Barbados, Brazil, Brunei Darussalem, Cambodia, China, Egypt, Georgia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Israel, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Macao, Mongolia, Pakistan, South Africa, Syria, Taiwan, Vietnam. All M&S products are sold on a Delivery Duty unpaid basis on the website, so be aware that recipients outside the EU may have to pay import duty or other taxes.