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.

Michael Marks opened the first Penny Bazaar in Leeds in 1884

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.

You can see original Penny Bazaar goods on display at the M&S Company Archive.
Tom Spencer

My memory is of the time when my father was Manager of the Swindon store. He came home and expressed concern about what was to happen to his staff after Lord Marks had decided to reduce the amount of paperwork used in ordering. He said he should trust those he employed and not need all this paper!

Christopher Venables

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Lisa Oxley, Meadowhall

Sunday 14 May

I love the fact that people hold fond and lasting memories of items bought from M&S. I myself remember, in detail, the first suit I bought from M&S

Kevin Thompson, Byker

Wednesday 17 May

I have grown up understanding that M&S are known for quality in both food and clothes

Sally Ellis, Atlantic Village

Friday 19 May

I just love the fact that the Christening robe is still being used such a wonderful piece of history for the family and for M and S

Ellen Sharpe, Peterborough

Monday 22 May

This story shows from humble begings and knowing your market.The skys the limit in what you can achieve.

Luis Tovar, Sheffield

Thursday 2 November

As a student I find it Fascinating.

Toby Larone, Chesssterfield

Monday 6 November

very interesting read. 10/10 would read again

Bertha Rochester, The Wolds

Monday 20 November

In 1926 when we were little girls we remember going to the penny bazaar and loved seeing all the cheap goods and being able to look but not buy. Wish we could go back to these days but the experience has never changed.

Brian Morgan, Bristol

Thursday 8 March

was Elsie Marion Marks born 1896 related to Michael Marks. She was my grandmother, and Mum always said he was related.

Non Vaughan Williams, Swansea University

Tuesday 15 May

Could you please confirm when was the M and S store was opened in Cardiff and where it was located. Thanks.

ellen tait , edinburgh

Thursday 10 January

i have a plate like the picture by van jones is this a rare find

Denise Thomas, Cardiff s.wales

Sunday 13 January

My parents bought a bone China tea set from the penny bazaar in 1930 it was an engagement present to each other. It is beautiful, too precious to use. Sadly my mum was in her hundredth year died just after xmas so it is now safely stored in my glass cabinet.

M&S Company Archive, Leeds

Thursday 17 January

Hi Ellen, the plates were produced to celebrate our centenary in 1984. We have a few in the collection and are always glad to hear that there are more being used elsewhere. Thank you for your comment.

M&S Company Archive, Leeds

Thursday 17 January

Hi Denise, that is lovely to hear. The tea set is clearly very precious, and hopefully it will spark happy memories for you and your family.

Maria, Christchurhc New Zealand

Tuesday 5 February

Worked on Saturdays at M&S Slough. They were very good to their staff both part-timers and full-timers alike. In early 1971/2 they produced a woollen jumper of multi-coloured stripes and it was a top seller. Kept mine for years and years; they have lost the touch of keeping it simple - never overload on variety make a seller and stick to it until you make the next one - shops try to sell everything - too much stock; little is best. Thanks for the time to comment

Mrs Wendy Joy Osben, Romford, Essex

Wednesday 6 February

This is such a good store and the history. Our family are/were the Barker family, who I believe have now bought into the family firm. They worked for J.P. Parker in Croydon and of the Flower Fairies and various cousins re: Barkers of Kensington and Barkers shoes who were married to the Luce family in London. (French).

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.

Haberdashery items like these hooks and eyes were very popular with customers and the Archive holds many examples

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!

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.

I remember mum taking me to M&S in Darlington where I was measured for my first bra. How grown up and embarrassed I felt!

Maggs

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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.

few, gfd

Tuesday 17 April

i love mark and spencer

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.

Underwear first appeared in Marks & Spencer in the 1920s

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.

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

I found a pair of St Michael tights in the back of my drawer today. They must be from the late 70's or early 80's. They were my favourite colour, and whenever pay day came around I would buy a few pairs. I couldn't bring myself to open my last packet!

Jannet

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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.

Marks & Spencer Utility dress

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.

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.

My mum looks great in the 50s inspired 125 dress - now I know what she looked like when she was young!

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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?

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.

M&S New Look dress

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.

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.
Watch M&S adverts from the 1950sWatch now.

I worked full time at Marks & Spencer until I left to have a baby. I have some wonderful memories of my time there such as the wonderful staff parties we had when an employee retired or reached long service. I had a great 17 years at M&S and the training I received has helped me over the years.

Mrs Janet Ogden

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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. Any why not? Innovations became widely available as new products moved quickly from the research laboratories to the shelves. Uniquely, chilled – instead of frozen – chickens also moved quickly all the way to our refrigerated shop counters, always staying at 4 degrees centigrade.

M&S was the first major British retailer to offer fresh, chilled chicken

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.
Watch M&S adverts from the 1960sWatch now.

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

I remember going into M&S after swimming. They had a beautiful line of Swimwear, they had white pleated Swimsuits in navy, red or light blue. I really wished my Mum could afford to buy me one. The only two things my Mum did purchase for me were a pair of Socks & a School Blouse. Happy Days.

Judith Whitehouse

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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.

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.

Microwave Cooking by Jenny Webb was donated by Mrs Gladys Smith, who bought it in 1983

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.

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.
Watch M&S adverts from the 1970s.Watch now.

My nan had her photo taken for the front of your magazine in the 50s, she was in full Welsh dress and sitting outside her home knitting.

mair simons

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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!!

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.

Melting middle chocolate puddings are one of our most successful products

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.
Watch M&S adverts from the 1990sWatch now.

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 love M&S. My local store in Derry, Northern Ireland is great. I'm only 15 but I would always love to work for M&S and maybe someday become a store manager of the place! The staff in our two stores are the best people you could meet, I just love M&S and hope it lives on, cheers!

sean fleming

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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.

We're safeguarding the heritage of M&S for the future

As a brand with influence over 250,000 workers worldwide, we work to improve the livelihoods of our suppliers and their communities.

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.

My childhood memory of Marks & Spencer was a visit to their Cafeteria in the basement of their store in Briggate, Leeds. I remember the assistants serving from behind a counter with lots of glass display cabinets all decorated.