M&S launches sale as it brings forward start date for new fashion boss

The retailer announced today it would be launching a sales across all clothing departments of at least 50%, with 10% of the purchase price, excluding VAT, being donated to the NHS as part of its ‘Rainbow Sale’ campaign.

The sale will start with a product drop of womenswear and will expand into new lines “over the coming weeks”. 

The retailer also said it was bringing forward the start date of its new fashion boss Price, who will now take up the role on July 6.

M&S boss Steve Rowe said the former chief executive of Tesco’s F&F fashion division would be joining the business at a “crucial time” as it looks to rebuild flagging fashion sales caused by consumer shifts to online and exacerbated by the pandemic.

Price was announced at the successor to Jill McDonald in November after she was ousted from the role. Rowe himself took personal charge of the division, on top of his role as chief executive of the wider business, but will hand over to Price in July.

Rowe said: “Richard joins us at a crucial time. I am confident that his leadership of a much-strengthened team and track record of delivering growth through great-value, stylish product will accelerate the transformation of our clothing and home business and build on the improvements in product, value and availability over the past year.”

Having previously worked at M&S earlier in his career, Price said at the time of his appointment: “Marks & Spencer clothing and home is a great business which still has strong brand affection and huge potential.

“I left the business because I felt it was drifting in the wrong direction but now feel we have a real chance to make it special again. The new team has already started to improve product and value and I am looking forward to working with them.”