Marks and Spencer go to Amazon?

[Brian Turner]

Darn interesting:


M&S in talks to offload website

Marks & Spencer looks poised to farm out its online retail business and is talking to a number of interested parties, the retailer has said. M&S is in the middle of shake-up led by chief executive Stuart Rose, who is thought to regard the internet operation as a non-core activity.

Mr Rose is keen to focus on M&S's core values, namely its High Street stores with particular emphasis on womenswear.

A report in London's Evening Standard names Amazon as the likely partner.

Amazon said it could neither confirm or deny that it was in discussions with M&S, and M&S said it could also neither confirm or deny that Amazon was the most likely suitor.

More: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/3644728.stm


Meanwhile, Philip Green still seems pertty narked off at M&S rejecting his take-over offer, so now he's claing he can effectively increase BHS's taking by 20%.

the BBC covers the story here:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/3644230.stm

[RWA]

I think its a great idea, maybe they can become great again like they were in 80s and early 90s.

I hope they don't do away with the menswear section, their stuff might be a tad expensive but I like their merchandise.

[Brian Turner]

Can you imagine the boost to Amazon, though? It makes Amazon look like it'll become to "online shopping" what Google did to "search engine" - complete market domination. If I could, I would really look to invest in Amazon.

[RWA]

Well seeing as both parties are denying any talks, then it is true that they are talking.

[paul andrew]

I watched a tv program about M&S a few months ago, they seem to have really lost their way. They have sold or in the process of selling their financial services section, now they want to get out of online sales. In my opinion for a company to grow they need to look at developing new markets and products, as well as focusing on the core business.

Regards
Paul

[Brian Turner]

Quite true - M&S have been making the business headlines for a while as a high-profile high street chain that on the way down. I guess that's why Peter Green was so eager to buy up, make cuts, then sell off for profit the company (as investment companies have a nasty habit of doing). Current M&S management seems to be trying to stop a fall, rather than properly reverse it. After all, if the clothing supplies could simply go stright to Amazon for their distribution, why have M&S as a middleman? Of course, if M&S are moving into distribution rather than direct sales then there is sense there...but any kind of partnership with Amazon has to offer a potential and powerful sales partnership. That's just my opinion, though, and they come perhaps too freely and easily.

[paul andrew]

Hi Brian,

I think you mean Phillip green, he is a very wise man he has taken half a billion from his businesses this year no doubt that will be plowed into buying M&S stocks, just like mr glazier with ManU. If you cannot get what you want via the front door try the back one.
I personally don't think he would sell M&S off he knows it has a very strong presence and stature in the retail world and he wants to make it a great sucess again, I can see him offloading BHS if he is sucessfull. Peter green is a retail Guru he knows where he wants to go and knows how to get there just look at some of his Arcadia brands http://www.arcadiagroup.co.uk/promos...ash/index.html

[Brian Turner]

Phillip Green - indeed, my bad.