1940 - 1950
The outbreak of war brought with it rationing, as well as enemy bombing which hit over 100 Marks & Spencer stores, destroying 16 entirely. ‘We did our bit’ through practical innovations and the invaluable efforts of employees, who took part in fire watching, raised money for a Spitfire, set up soup kitchens and helped to care for wounded soldiers.
At the beginning of the war 70% of Britain’s food was imported from across the sea. U-boat attacks quickly cut off this supply and by 1940 rationing was introduced for lots of food, beginning with bacon, butter and sugar.
At Marks & Spencer food was sometimes sold straight from the delivery trucks in order to keep hungry and impatient crowds calm. As rationing didn’t apply to restaurants, people began to eat out more, and by 1942 we had created 82 Café Bars in store.
Restrictions Orders meant clothing was also designed to make the most of materials. Here M&S could share its skill at achieving the highest quality for the lowest price. Harry Atkinson, who was a Marks & Spencer technologist, helped the government develop clothing standards. The result was utility clothing, which could be brightly pattered but was very simple in design.
At the beginning of the war 70% of Britain’s food was imported from across the sea. U-boat attacks quickly cut off this supply and by 1940 rationing was introduced for lots of food, beginning with bacon, butter and sugar.
At Marks & Spencer food was sometimes sold straight from the delivery trucks in order to keep hungry and impatient crowds calm. As rationing didn’t apply to restaurants, people began to eat out more, and by 1942 we had created 82 Café Bars in store.
Restrictions Orders meant clothing was also designed to make the most of materials. Here M&S could share its skill at achieving the highest quality for the lowest price. Harry Atkinson, who was a Marks & Spencer technologist, helped the government develop clothing standards. The result was utility clothing, which could be brightly pattered but was very simple in design.
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.
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