1960 - 1970
During this decade, customers wanted labour-saving products to improve and bring a modern touch to their lives. Marks & Spencer not only created these modern new items but also got them from the laboratory to the store shelves rapidly. Our customers could have the very latest innovations on a bigger scale than ever before.
M&S innovations included new products made from the man-made fabric terylene. A type of polyester, it was very popular because it was so practical and hardwearing.
By the end of the 1960s we were also thinking up safe ways of selling dairy products and meats, beginning with chicken. Most stores at the time sold their poultry frozen because of the risks of bacteria causing food poisoning. But M&S believed customers wanted fresh products and began to explore safe ways of selling chilled, rather than frozen, meat.
In order to keep meat fresh M&S invented the ‘cold-chain’ process. Chickens were chilled straight after slaughter, carried in refrigerated trucks, kept in refrigerated storage, and sold from refrigerated counters – all at 4 degrees centigrade. The entire cold-chain process, developed with our suppliers, was specially made to our own design, and was unique at the time.
M&S innovations included new products made from the man-made fabric terylene. A type of polyester, it was very popular because it was so practical and hardwearing.
By the end of the 1960s we were also thinking up safe ways of selling dairy products and meats, beginning with chicken. Most stores at the time sold their poultry frozen because of the risks of bacteria causing food poisoning. But M&S believed customers wanted fresh products and began to explore safe ways of selling chilled, rather than frozen, meat.
In order to keep meat fresh M&S invented the ‘cold-chain’ process. Chickens were chilled straight after slaughter, carried in refrigerated trucks, kept in refrigerated storage, and sold from refrigerated counters – all at 4 degrees centigrade. The entire cold-chain process, developed with our suppliers, was specially made to our own design, and was unique at the time.
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 1960s
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
Comments
Add your comment...