Beginnings
It's amazing what a penny can do. 'Don't ask the price, it’s a penny' was the slogan Michael Marks used when he opened his first bazaar in Leeds in 1884. It couldn’t be any simpler and both his idea and hard work soon paid off. But it was when Michael went into partnership with Tom Spencer in 1894 that the company we all know really started to take shape.
Beginnings IN DEPTH
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Painting of Penny Bazaar, Van Jones 1955 -
This yo-yo was donated by Joy Everett. It belonged to her mother, Alice. It was bought from the Lincoln Penny Bazaar in the 1890s by Alice’s parents.
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You can see original Penny Bazaar goods on display at the M&S Company Archive. -
Tom Spencer
Marks always seem to be ahead of the game. Being able to take my old M&S clothes into Oxfam and getting a voucher is brilliant! Well done!
Suzanne
1900 - 1920
We were growing and innovating as living conditions were improving. Most shops kept their stock behind counters, but our stores displayed everything on trays for customers to inspect. The outbreak of the First World War in 1914 also meant that resources were limited so people really needed the buttons, needles and threads we sold to update their old clothes.
1900 - 1920 IN DEPTH
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A typical example of smartly-dressed female sales staff in our early stores, who would be supervised by the store manageress. -
Marks and Spencer has sold innovative products from its earliest days!
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Soon M&S shops opened in a wide variety of central sites, like this one at Castle Street Bristol in 1907. -
We sold music from 1900 to 1920. It was so popular that people posted their penny to the stores, who sent the music out at no extra cost.
Working at the Kilburn branch when all the food department sold was biscuits! The uniforms were made of nylon and in the summer were so hot, I fainted one day - much to my embarassment.
Su Shanson
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Helen , Mersey side
Wednesday 19 April
I still use a Monster Music Book of Christmas Carols. Well worth an old penny.
Elise oliver, Doncaster
Tuesday 1 October
Clever marketing skills selling needle and thread to update people old clothes in the first world war.
1920 - 1940
This era wasn’t easy for anybody, including retailers. But companies who adapted survived. We reinvented ourselves and responded to people’s needs. We started to sell more of life’s essentials, including underwear. Since then the bra has become our most iconic product, with one in three women now wearing one bought from M&S. But there was a lot more going on during this period that shaped the way we operate today.
1920 - 1940 IN DEPTH
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Miss M Simpson donated this manicure set. It cost a third of her weekly wages as a sales assistant, so she was allowed to pay in instalments. -
This tea set is one of many in the archive and was donated by Doreen Newlyn. It features a beautiful art deco design.
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M&S started selling records in the 1930s. We had our own brand record line, featuring the ‘Marspen Band’, our in-house musicians. -
In the 1930s M&S sold many electrical household goods, including heaters, irons and light bulbs, which were described as lamps. -
M&S food departments opened in 1931 selling fruit, vegetables and canned goods. -
New houses were being built in the 30s and there was a demand for household goods
Mum buying my first trainers, black with two white stripes! Lasted me for at least 2 years! Awesome.
E G
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Elise, Doncaster
Tuesday 1 October
Intresting how they had to reinvent themselves to keep business after world war one.
1940 - 1950
As war broke out we were faced with even more challenges. We were low on goods and employees, and our stores were under enemy fire. And in 1941 ‘Making of Civilian Clothing (Restriction Orders)’ meant we could use only 5 buttons, 2 pockets and 4 metres of stitching for every item. We learnt a lot, particularly how to offer quality under any circumstances.
1940 - 1950 IN DEPTH
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This children’s book was printed exclusively for M&S. Inside is written "To Harold from Iris, Christmas 1948". Donated by Mrs E Rutter. -
With so many men enlisted to the armed forces, M&S faced a shortage of trained and skilled staff – the answer was to promote women from staff to management.
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With a simple range of quality dishes, the new Cafe Bars, like this one in the Guildford store in 1941, were a war time success for M&S. -
This lump of metal is what remains of the cash float found in the debris of our Bristol store, which was destroyed during an air attack.
In 1973 as a student I worked in the Leamington Spa branch as a holiday job. On Saturdays we could get our hair done for 30p! We felt a million dollars as we marched into the shop to face the Saturday shoppers! I was on "Racks" and loved unpacking the beautiful clothes and pricing them with the "gun".
Kathleen McGuinness
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Peter Coleman, Banbury Oxfordshire
Monday 2 October
My late mother worked as a store detective For Marks & Spencer In and around The East End of London from 1945 to around 1949 after her birth I found a small archive diary travel warrant and witness statement by about the cases and people she dealt with it is an archive worth saving I think And would be interesting to the archivist at Marks & Spencer
Company Archive, Leeds
Thursday 7 February
Hi Peter, We would love to hear more about your mother's items. Please could you contact us at company.archive@marks-and-spencer.com with some more details?
Elise, Doncaster
Tuesday 1 October
Thought it was amazing how m&s raised money for a spitfire and how the company is still raising money for charities
Kat Healy, Hebburn, Tyne and Wear
Thursday 28 November
Love how M n S have adapted perfectly throughout this period! Opening cafes to get around rationing is fantastic!
1950 - 1960
We were not complaining when glamour came bouncing back. It was a time for looking forward. And as soon as it became possible that’s just what we did. Optimism was epitomised by a new style of dress influenced by the Christian Dior ‘Corolle’ collection. This style came to be known as the New Look, because its daring form hadn’t been seen – and probably wouldn’t have been allowed – before.
1950 - 1960 IN DEPTH
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Donated by Mrs P Nicholson, this dress was "worn by all five of my daughters, the hems went up and down depending on which child". -
Hats were very popular in the 1950s as they provided an easy way to update outfits. This one is made of straw and carries the St Michael logo.
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The popular New Look emphasised a narrow waist and created more interest in corsetry. This item is a sample from a wearer trial in 1959. -
This toy cat was donated by Lesley Hughes, who bought it in 1954 for 9s 11d. It was very popular, featuring twice in the employee magazine. -
M&S’s in-house designer, Charlie Wilkinson, produced this beautifully drawn and coloured design.
Working at the Kilburn branch when all the food department sold was biscuits! The uniforms were made of nylon and in the summer were so hot, I fainted one day - much to my embarassment.
Su Shanson
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1960 - 1970
Forget miniskirts and The Beatles, it was chickens that mattered. This was perhaps a time when anything seemed possible. Innovations in food and textiles meant new products moved quickly from the research laboratories to the shelves. Uniquely, chilled - rather than frozen - chicken also moved quickly all the way to our refrigerated shop counters, always staying at 4 degrees centigrade.
1960 - 1970 IN DEPTH
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This is a girl’s jumper, bought in 1969. It’s made from Orlon, a man-made wool. We now sell a more modern version of Orlon called Cashmillon.
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As miniskirts became fashionable, tights became essential. American Tan was the shade that all of our sales assistants wore in the 1960s. -
Lycra was first used within M&S for corsetry. This stretchy fabric was used for girdles, which had replaced the stiffer corsets. -
Over the years, staff uniforms have changed according to fashions. The M&S Company Archive holds many different examples. -
M&S has always found innovative solutions to customers' changing lifestyles
Pink coconut cake - was hoping it would be brought back for Jubilee year as well as chocolate crinkle crunch biscuits!!!
Helen Holt
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David , Kendal
Saturday 3 February
When was m&s kendal cumbria first opened?
Company Archive, Leeds
Thursday 7 February
Hi David, the Kendal store opened on 10th May 1935.
Evaline Foster, Shrewsbury
Sunday 17 February
Who opened the new market st store in1961
M&S Company Archive, Leeds
Monday 18 February
Hi Evaline, we need a bit more info to help with your enquiry. Could you email us at company.archive@marksandspencer.com?
Christine, Hemingby
Thursday 11 April
When did the St Michael Brand cease to exist?
M&S Company Archive, Leeds
Monday 15 April
Hi Christine, St Michael lasted from 1928 until 2000.
Liz Bright , Corby
Tuesday 4 June
When did Marks open in Northampton
M&S Company Archive, Leeds
Wednesday 12 June
Hi Liz, A Penny Bazaar opened at 17 The Drapery in Northampton in 1907. This was followed by a new store at 26-28 Gold Street on the 4th October 1929.
Pam Stubberfield, Isle of Wight
Tuesday 9 July
When did M&S win the Queen’s award for Export?
The Archive Team, Leeds
Thursday 11 July
Hi Pam, We won the Queen's Award for Export in 1993. Best wishes, The Archive Team
Colin Wingfield, High Wycombe
Thursday 5 September
What was Arthur Edward Giffard's job at marks and Spencer
Company Archive, Leeds
Monday 9 September
Hi Colin, Arthur Giffard was Estates Manager. Email us at company.archive@marksandspencer.com if there's anything else we can help with.
Barry Howard, Inverurie
Friday 4 October
Did M&S used to have a farm in north Hampshire in the 1960s
Company Archive, Leeds
Monday 7 October
Hi Barry, We're not sure about this one - could you email company.archive@marksandspencer.com and we'll try to find out more.
1970 - 1990
Suddenly guests were impressed by how little effort you put into dinner. Lifestyles were changing rapidly. More women were going out to work, so we made things easier by introducing good quality, nutritious convenience food, like boil-in-the-bag meals and microwave dinners. But even if time was limited, it didn’t mean the menu had to be. Exotic Chinese and Indian ranges reflected the new travel opportunities of the times. And in the design department big changes were also happening.
1970 - 1990 IN DEPTH
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This is a pair of boy’s cotton BMX pyjamas, age 5-6. BMX bikes were a must-have on Christmas present lists in the late 1980s for most children. -
In 1979 Marks and Spencer became the first high street retailer in Britian to sell the Chicken Kiev.
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Men’s suits have been the focus of much product development, with the first machine washable suit being introduced by M&S in 1987. -
This leisure jump suit is nightwear. It dates from 1978 and is made from brushed nylon, a popular fabric for nightwear in the 1970s.
I started working at M&S in 1960 age 18 at the new store in Manchester. I worked on the section with ladies blouses and trousers, I even modelled them on a Saturday for the customers. I have very fond memories of the store, and the people.
June
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Louise O'Neil, Northallerton, North Yorkshire
Wednesday 14 June
In the mid-late 1980s M&S used to sell Syrup Sponge dessert in an individual pot with syrup in the bottom, then sponge, then custard (and maybe cream on top, I can't remember). It was absolutely delicious and I've never seen it anywhere else since. It was a perfect end to my packed lunch!! It would be wonderful to experience it again!!
Julia Salter, Cardiff
Tuesday 5 March
My family used to love you spicy chicken pizzas. They were discontinued due to falling sales. I cannot understand this as I had to queue in your Cardiff store when you were expecting a delivery. What happened?
Hazel Scoot, Milton Keynes
Thursday 7 November
I still have my microwave cookbook, it is a bit "splattered" on the lamb and beef pages! I still refer to it often having written additions to some of the recipes.
1990 - 2010
Competition meant that we now needed to be better than ever, and all departments played their role by creating new and improved products like this. Believe it or not, the pudding is a real feat of food technology. Taking 18 months to develop, the real challenge was making sure the sauce wasn’t soaked up by the sponge around it. But success was achieved, and the result was a real hit with customers.
1990 - 2010 IN DEPTH
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This silk dress was worn by Dame Shirley Bassey in the 2007 M&S Christmas TV advert. The ‘Your M&S’ adverts featuring celebrities began in 2005.
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2006 saw Limited Collection introduce ‘fast fashion’ to M&S, quickly bringing catwalk trends to customers. These sandals hit the stores within 4 weeks. -
This dress, designed to celebrate 125 years of M&S, uses a print originally designed by the artist Kathleen Guthrie in the 1940s.
I am still wearing my Marks & Spencer cotton vest. It is thirty two years old and I wore it as a young sailor on board HMS Fearless during the Falklands conflict. It even has my name, D Cruickshanks stamped on it.
David Cruickshanks
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Sophie, London
Thursday 7 March
I remember when the first Harry Potter film was coming out and M&S did chocolate frogs! There were also children's games too.
2010-Now
Marks & Spencer is looking forward to the next 130 years. Our core purpose is ‘Enhancing Lives. Every Day’, through our company values of Innovation, Inspiration, Integrity and In Touch. These are the building blocks of Plan A, our eco and ethical programme which is at the heart of how we do business. Following the launch of Plan A in January 2007, we’ve introduced Plan A 2020 which consists of 100 new, revised and existing commitments, helping us to achieve our ultimate goal of becoming the world’s most sustainable major retailer.
2010-Now IN DEPTH
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As a brand with influence over 250,000 workers worldwide, we work to improve the livelihoods of our suppliers and their communities.
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We are reducing how much of our clothing and packaging ends up as landfill by improving packaging, recycling more and using fewer plastic bags. -
We've improved labelling to make it easier for you to eat well, and have trained 1,500 Health Advisors to provide advice on healthy living.
I was brought up in a children's home in Aberdeen and M&S would donate Christmas presents to us. They also helped me get my paints, brushes and easel so I could go to Grays School of Art for a year. That was 1967. I now work in M&S and have been for 27years. I feel like they are part of my family.
Elizabeth
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Anna Lourari, Ealing Broadway
Sunday 25 February
Great and quick way of literally scrolling thrugh the history of M&S
Elise, Doncaster
Tuesday 1 October
Very interesting read about M&S from the penny bazzar to raising money for a spitfire to today where the company employ over 86,000 staff
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