Store reductions

In January 2009, M&S announced plans to close 25 Simply Food stores and cut 1,230 UK jobs after reporting one of its worst Christmas trading performances on record. Food sales across the chain fell by 5.2 per cent year-on-year over the 13 weeks to December 27, as money-conscious consumers opted to shop at cheaper retailers such as Asda and Morrisons to cope with the economic downturn.