Marks and Spencer: Marmite or Ratners? » Martyn Stead

Marks and Spencer have launched their new spring ad campaign which features Jamie Redknapp and friends getting soaked by sprinklers, and ending with the strapline “Utterly Repellent Menswear”. (See here).

It’s a brave thing to do, but is it wise?

Laura Wade-Gery to become executive director of multi-channel ecommerce at M&S

Marks & Spencer has tempted Laura Wade-Gery from Tesco to run its e-commerce operations.

Marks & Spencer has poached Laura Wade-Gery, Tesco's e-commerce director, to lead its campaign to sell more goods over the internet and telephone.

Wade-Gery, who had agreed to become the commercial director of Tesco's non-food operation in March, changed her mind to take up the newly created position of executive director of multi-channel ecommerce at M&S.

Bringing home the Digits with Digital Signage / Next Generation Retail Europe

Digital signage is on a meteoric rise, both in Europe and the US. Originally utilized as branding and advertising on high streets, landmark sites and sports events, digital signage is now being utilized as a successful in-store marketing tool; revolutionizing retail and providing a whole new dimension to customers’ shopping experience.

Research in 2007 indicated that around 75 percent or retail purchasing decisions were made in store, highlighting how underused digital signage was in relation to a marketing opportunity. Yet the Return on Investment (ROI) figures have been increasing every year, highlighting that there is still room for improvement for retailers keen to employ digital signage to its full potential. In 2009, a Digicom survey found that 78 percent of customers felt that in-store digital signage displays made a particular product more attractive than if it was advertised via standard print signage.