M&S Brand Boost

TNS last night declared Marks and Spencer Britain's 'Retail Brand of the Year', at the Retail Week Awards ceremony at the Grosvenor House Hotel, London. M&S received 50% more votes than second-placed Asda, in a poll of the agency's 15,000 FashionTrak consumer panellists.

Panellists were asked to nominate their favourite shop to visit, across all markets; M&S received 8.7% of the total vote with particular strength and popularity among the over 55's (14.4% of votes).

Fiona Bell, business director of TNS FashionTrak, says key factors are M&S' broad targeting of its product offering and the wide distribution of its outlets. 'Despite recent criticism, it is clear that the store remains an institution and holds a special place in the hearts of the British public'.

Asda received 5.8% of the vote, followed by Debenhams, Tesco and Next respectively. There were differences of opinion between women regionally - whilst those in Scotland, the Midlands and the South all favoured M&S, those in the North opted for Asda. TNS says younger shoppers (under 35's) who are more fickle in their purchasing habits, prefer retailers who focus on entertainment and 'high fashion', short-listing stores including HMV (4.1%) and Topshop (2.5%).

The agency is online at www.tns-global.com

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas, 2024- by Nick Thomas, unless otherwise stated.

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