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File photo. Nick Ansell

M&S to close 100 stores across the UK by 2020

No Irish stores will be affected as part of the move.

UK RETAILER MARKS and Spencer has announced that it will shut more than 100 “underperforming” UK stores in an ongoing restructuring of the company.

The high-street chain has expanded its closure plans as it aims to shift at least a third of sales online, the group announced in a statement.

The London giant did not specify the number of job losses – but thousands of positions are believed to be at risk, according to media.

“M&S will now close over 100 stores in total by 2022, including 21 that have already closed and the 14 stores that are announced today as proposed for closure or set to close,” the company said.

No Irish stores will be affected as part of the move.

When asked whether the announcement will affect its Irish branches, an M&S spokesperson said:

It is a UK programme. It would include Northern Ireland but not Ireland.

M&S had in November 2016 launched a five-year overhaul of its UK stores amid fierce competition from supermarkets and budget garment chain Primark (Penneys in Ireland) – as well as online giants like Amazon. The restructuring was accelerated last last year.

“We are making good progress with our plans to reshape our store estate to be more relevant to our customers and support our online growth plans,” said Sacha Berendji, M&S retail, operations and property director.

The retailer, which had a total of 1,035 stores at the end of its 2017/2018 financial year, will publish its annual results tomorrow.

© AFP 2018 With reporting from Cormac Fitzgerald

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    Mute Sean O' Donovan
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    May 22nd 2018, 3:08 PM

    These aren’t just closures. These are M&S closures.

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    Mute kevinhunt101
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    May 22nd 2018, 2:31 PM

    WTFOCK. Where can I get my organic tree ripened mango now??? #disaster

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    Mute Michael Kavanagh
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    May 22nd 2018, 2:41 PM

    @kevinhunt101:
    Plant your own perhaps !?!

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    Mute ParSim
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    May 22nd 2018, 3:00 PM

    @Michael Kavanagh: You’d have some job ripening a mango in Irish weather!

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    Mute James O'Brien
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    May 22nd 2018, 3:00 PM

    Won’t be the last either. Rents too high ecommerce winning..

    41
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    Mute P.J. Nolan
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    May 22nd 2018, 3:11 PM

    @James O’Brien:
    A friend who manages a retail store for a large group that have an online shop as well maintains her shop is now just for trying the clothes on before buying them online.

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    Mute Fiona Fitzgerald
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    May 22nd 2018, 4:33 PM

    Right, except that people don’t mind trying on and don’t want to wait in for deliveries some time today maybe. Ideally M&S would have Click & collect.

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    Mute Michael Kavanagh
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    May 22nd 2018, 5:29 PM

    @P.J. Nolan:
    True – but fitting is important.
    The daughter buys clothes and shoes online and is forever complaining that some sizes are either over or under expectation.

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    Mute Smiley
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    May 22nd 2018, 11:17 PM

    @Fiona Fitzgerald: M&S do have click and collect. Maybe not in Ireland, though.

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    Mute Alchemy
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    May 22nd 2018, 3:23 PM

    Maybe sell clothes that people want to buy , their selection does appeal to an older demographic.

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    Mute Fiona Fitzgerald
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    May 22nd 2018, 4:36 PM

    Their food’s tasty, I sometimes treat myself to the odd meal. And their leg lengths are accurate, credit where due.

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    Mute Smiley
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    May 22nd 2018, 11:18 PM

    @Alchemy: Piffle. I’m in that demographic and I love their clothes.

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    Mute rory burns
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    May 22nd 2018, 3:14 PM

    Mystery how they are still open in Drogheda

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    Mute Rochelle
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    May 22nd 2018, 3:33 PM

    Doesn’t bode well for them opening that Limerick store…

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    Mute Tom Purcell
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    May 22nd 2018, 4:49 PM

    @Rochelle: Keep in mind the mark-up they have on the products sold in Irish shops. They more than cover currency movements – and still manage to compete…

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    Mute Chris Kirk
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    May 22nd 2018, 4:26 PM

    If there is a hard border in Ireland thenorth will see the first M&S to close in places like Enniskillen and a few other multi stores too.

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    Mute Michael Fehily
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    May 22nd 2018, 4:52 PM

    Brexit strikes again…!!
    Turnover down due to reduced spending power , due to higher inflation due to 20% drop in the value of Sterling since June 20i16 .

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    Mute Michael Kavanagh
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    May 22nd 2018, 6:17 PM

    Tesco Direct (the non-food online outlet) also shutting up virtual shop.

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    Mute Alex Flynn
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    May 22nd 2018, 5:10 PM

    By 2020 or 2022?

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