M&S adds its name to the wedding list
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.CUPID'S arrow has struck the unlikely person of Sir Richard Greenbury, gruff chairman of Marks & Spencer. Next Monday, the day after St Valentine's, M&S is to launch a nationwide wedding list service, challenging the traditional preserve of John Lewis, House of Fraser, Selfridges and other department stores, writes Patrick Hosking.
About 400,000 couples marry each year. They and their friends and relations spend an estimated pounds 1.4bn on the wedding, much of it on wedding gifts. Sir Richard wants to see some of that money ending up in M&S tills.
Under the M&S service, couples choose gifts from a special catalogue and record their wishes on a central computer. Their wedding guests can then see the list in any of 35 stores, from Aberdeen to Torquay - and when they buy, the list is instantly updated.
According to Alison Reed, executive, home furnishings, M&S plans to roll the service out to more stores very quickly. She says it is the first nationwide service and the products will be competitively priced.
M&S has widened its home furnishings range to include nuptial favourites such as bone china, crystal glassware and canteens of cutlery. Its fledgling home furnishings division has outpaced both food and clothing in sales growth in the past six months.
Ms Reed dismisses any suggestion that shoppers may not instantly think of M&S for wedding presents. 'We're the biggest bedding retailer in the country. We have a large market share of kitchenware and tableware.'
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments