M&S appoints new childrenswear boss

Marks & Spencer has handed the task of rejuvenating sales at its childrenswear division to a Gap executive.

Anthony Thompson, senior vice president of Gap Stores in Europe, began his career at M&S in 1984 before moving to accountant Arthur Andersen as a retail consultant.

He replaces Michele Jobling, the former childrenswear director who left at the end of last year.

Despite an improvement in overall clothing sales at the group over the past two years, childrenswear has continued to be problematic for M&S.

The British company has made the recovery of its children's ranges one of three priorities for the clothing business, which chief executive Roger Holmes highlighted with the group's annual results last month.

Mr Thompson joined Gap in 2000 where he was responsible for building the brand in the UK, France and Germany.

In the role he headed 295 stores, with a staff of 8,000 people and oversaw higher sales and increased market share for the group's Gap, Gap Kids and Baby Gap stores.

He said: "I am very excited to be joining Marks & Spencer. Childrenswear has a huge amount of potential and I look forward to working with a great team of people to meet the challenge of growing the business."

At the time M&S of its annual results in July, M&S said its back-to-school ranges were selling well while customers' reaction to David Beckham's DB07 range remained positive.

M&S is currently attempting to increase displays and choice for the core children's ranges while it has also pledged to develop quality clothing which is "designed for kids, trusted by mums".