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Marks & Spencer gets Tesco executive for top post

BRITISH retailer Marks & Spencer has appointed the chief executive of rival Tesco's F&F clothing division to be the boss of its struggling clothing and home business, the company said on Friday (22).

M&S, one of the best known names on UK high streets, said Richard Price would re-join the retailer as managing director, clothing and home next year, on a date to be confirmed.


In July, M&S' CEO Steve Rowe sacked clothing division head Jill McDonald after publicly criticising chronic availability, and assumed direct leadership himself.

Rowe chief executive officer (CEO) said: “Richard’s career spans some of the UK’s top clothing brands and he has a proven track record of delivering growth through stylish, great value product. We are building a team of world class talent in Clothing & Home and, with Richard coming on board...”

Price said: "Marks & Spencer Clothing & 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.”

Price previously worked for M&S from 2005 to 2012.

He was head of merchandise, before being promoted to menswear trading director in 2008.

He left M&S to become managing director of BHS and joined Tesco in 2015.

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UK shoppers stay away from high streets on Black Friday

Highlights

  • High street footfall down 7.2 per cent compared to Black Friday last year amid cost of living pressures.
  • KPMG predicts subdued 1 per cent GDP growth for 2026 as households remain cautious.
  • Business confidence near record lows with hospitality sector warning of "extinction event".
UK shoppers held back from visiting high streets over Black Friday, with footfall data revealing growing concerns about weak consumer spending that could hamper economic growth in 2026.

Visitors to all UK shopping destinations fell 2 per cent on Friday and 7.2 per cent compared with the equivalent days last year, according to monitoring company MRI Software. Only locations near central London offices experienced increased visits.

Jenni Matthews from MRI told the Guardian "The cost of living squeeze appears to be weighing on overall activity." The lacklustre figures emerged as consultancy KPMG warned that soft consumer spending would hold back the economy over the next 12 months.

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