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My reply was specific to 1ontheup's sensible comment. My background is financial pr. I was the founder of what is now a fairly substantial international FPR consultancy.

The thrust of 1onthep's comment was a clear and sharp focus on market share acquisition.

All quoted companies have broad contact with investors and analysts at results time.

My purpose in suggesting what I did was to concentrate on market share acquisition strategy using a major international newspaper as the vehicle with a unallied analyst in support. Very different to the generalist approach you refer to. My case rests...a major focus by the FT on how M&S can beat off and grab market share as competitors nip at its heels.

This is an interesting and topical comment. We know M&S is consistently stealing market share from Waitrose but seeing how the long-term market share acquisition is being driven will really be useful. Stuart should host a lunch with one journalist from a very supportive non-house analyst and the retail editor of say the FT. This approach really helps the journalist get a grip on long-term strategy from a more or less independent source. I chose the FT because M&S should be targeting international investors.

I agree. And people are buying not just wandering. My wife bought scented candles which she said are exactly the same smell as Jo Malone and are £8. Jo Malone are nearly £60.

Can you provide some backing to that rather facts light assertion?? Or is it just a thought in your head?

I agree to a degree but this is as much about incentivising Stuart and his key team. Not sure how being a public co can help him without causing a shareholder revolt!

Can anyone tell me just how foolish an idea this is. Norman, Machin and team have done and astonishing job. Machin probably has another 8 years in his career tank. Simon Wolfson made the thick end of £200m from Next because the family backed him at the outset. Machin does not have that access yet is quite likely to drive M&S to even greater heights. Blackrock sits on a chunk of M&S. If I were Blackrock I would be having a quiet conversation with Machin about how they could make him a rich man. Blackrock has access to vast pools of finance that M&S can never access as a quoted company.

Https://www.ii.co.uk/analysis-commentary/why-ms-shares-now-offer-22-upside-ii533513

I am struggling to find out who the jt broker with Shore Capital is. I am surprised there is no heavyweight like JP Morgan or Goldmans on board. This is a company that needs to be sold to worldwide investors

Https://www.fool.co.uk/2024/11/13/still-under-4-despite-strong-recent-results-is-this-ftse-retailer-too-big-a-bargain-to-pass-up/

1ontheup, you are right. When I looked again it seemed much more positive and affirmative. The points you made were spot on. There was something a bit lacking in maturity in the previous. Interesting to see the analyst reaction to the Kantar research.

Survey puts M&S in front of Waitrose for food sales

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2024/11/12/marks-spencer-overtakes-waitrose-grocer-middle-england/

There should be an abbreviated form of visual presentation in each store so customers could see the planned changes. Loyal customers make loyal shareholders

I could not agree more hg44

This is a team in quality up there with Next. It seems some have forgotten the depths M&S has risen from and the heights it can achieve. A crack management team and staff in the shops highly motivated to sell its high quality and in demand stock.

That is a very wise comment. Unless one is trading this stock one has to take a long term view. I agree with all fatsuperman says

If it drifts to 320 it becomes a bid stock and I see that as very unlikely

Very sound comment. It's like a breathing space and here is very little volume being traded. At around 370 is probably the right level until we hear how Christmas trading has been. Anyway, for me this is a long horizon hold. Top class management and plenty of competitors M&S can take bites from. The NIC panic will soon be forgotten

Not sure what makes you think as you do. It seems highly unlikely. At that sort of market cap M&S becomes a bid target and the board has plenty of ammunition to describe a bid at such low levels as opportunistic. Every top rated analyst would be backing Norman and Machin.

Machin will be able to report strong Christmas trading

That's a good point and it escaped me. Sort of slightly lacking in maturity? Or lack of emphasis??

Hi there it's this one. https://corporate.marksandspencer.com/investors/our-performance-updates/financial-calendar

I advised Next many years ago when Simon W was being groomed for the job. His father, David was chairman and was pretty ruthless in changing direction. I see the same combo talent with Norman and Machin. Once the domestic markets are humming there will be plenty of opportunity to kickstart international. This is another Next.

If it is the budget the impact will be short lived and as long as presentation tomorrow doesn't over emphasise impact. There are some very serious institutional investors in this stock and the only selling seems to be small lots. This is a fantastic beautifully managed company and my hope is that in 2 years time the price will double.Machin is young and focused. He is not full of BS and recognises the opportunities and the issues to overcome. If Waitrose had someone as talented running it they would be booming. I have 180000 shares and I wish I could afford more