Marks and Spencer has poached the head of UK car-parts seller Halfords to lead the turnaround of its struggling clothing business, handing one of the industry’s toughest tasks to a fashion novice.

British retail giant Marks and Spencer has stressed its commitment to Ireland by saying its operations here will not be affected by its strategic review which will result in around 80 store closures in its UK and international divisions.

It is understood dozens of Marks and Spencer stores in the UK are to close as part of a radical shake-up.

British retailer Marks and Spencer plans to cut a net 525 jobs from its London head office, it confirmed yesterday, as new CEO Steve Rowe seeks to simplify the business and reduce costs.

Steve Rowe, the new head of British retailer Marks and Spencer yesterday conceded he had his work cut out to end five years of almost constant falls in clothing sales after the firm suffered another quarterly decline.

A disgruntled Irish woman’s complaint about the Marks and Spencer teabag policy has gone inexplicably viral.

Marks & Spencer boss Marc Bolland has seen his total pay package jump by nearly a third after landing a £596,000 bonus for delivering the retailer's first annual profits increase for four years.

British retailer Marks and Spencer is to add vitamin D to its entire packaged bread range after finding that customers are concerned they are not getting their recommended daily amount.

Irish shoppers hoping to quaff some of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s wine from their French vineyard will be disappointed as limited availability means it will only be sold in British branches of M&S for now.

Marks & Spencer has reported more dire trading for its clothing division after it was beset by online delivery problems and unseasonal weather conditions.

Strike action planned for tomorrow at Marks and Spencer has been called off, after workers voted to accept a recommendation by the Labour Court.

Mandate Trade Union has criticised the decision by Marks and Spencer to open some of its smaller stores around the country today - while more than 2,000 workers are on strike.

More than 2,000 staff at 17 Marks and Spencer stores across the country are going on strike today.

Marks & Spencer stepped up its drive for ethical trading today with a trial scheme which will see customers charged for carrier bags.

Marks & Spencer will confirm its recovery today when it unveils profits close to £1bn (€1.46bn) for the first time since 1998.

Marks & Spencer boss Stuart Rose finally hailed a “recovery” at the high-street chain today after sales surged in the build-up to Christmas.

The resurgence of Marks & Spencer will be sealed today when the high-street giant reports booming Christmas sales.

Marks & Spencer said today that it planned to recruit an extra 4,000 staff after figures showed shoppers continued to warm to the new-look chain.

Retailer Marks & Spencer maintained its recent recovery today after reporting another sharp pick-up in quarterly trading figures.

With an advertising blitz featuring celebrities such as 60s supermodel Twiggy, M&S has poured millions into one of its biggest campaigns yet.

Marks & Spencer halted a two-year trading slump today after new ranges and an overhaul helped the embattled retailer to a surprise pick-up in sales.

Marks & Spencer shares were trading lower today after two days of speculation over bid interest involving a South African businessman came to an end.

The spotlight was back on retail tycoon Philip Green today after time restrictions on a fresh takeover approach for Marks & Spencer were lifted.

Marks & Spencer today dramatically slashed its forecasts for annual profits after it was forced to make deep price cuts to clear excess Christmas stock.

The crisis at Marks & Spencer claimed a string of top management jobs today as the embattled retailer revealed trading had become even more difficult.

Recovery hopes at retailer Marks & Spencer were dealt another blow today when the group said trading had become more difficult in the last month.

Marks & Spencer shareholders were today being braced for further gloom on trading as fears grow of a wider slowdown in high street spending.

Marks & Spencer began buying back more than a quarter of its shares at 362p each today in the largest tender offer in UK corporate history.

Struggling retailer Marks & Spencer today announced the landmark acquisition of the per una clothing brand for £125m (€181.7m).

The designer brought in to add sparkle to women’s clothing at Marks & Spencer is to leave the retailer after three and a half years, it emerged today.

Marks & Spencer’s interim chairman is expected to take the position on a permanent basis, it was reported today.

Marks & Spencer may have spent the last few months under threat of a takeover, but the company is still Britain’s favourite retailer, it was announced today.

Marks & Spencer boss Stuart Rose was today facing up to the task of delivering a trading revival after fending off a proposed £9.1bn (€13.6bn) takeover bid.

Retail tycoon Philip Green is preparing to wage a high street war on Marks & Spencer after dropping his £9.1bn (€13.6bn) takeover bid.

Shares in Marks & Spencer fell 6% today after retail entrepreneur Philip Green walked away from the battle to land the struggling high street group.

The M&S board claimed a major scalp in its drive to persuade investors not to support a takeover proposal from billionaire Philip Green.

Marks & Spencer unveiled a masterplan today for defeating a potential £9.1bn (€13.65bn) offer from tycoon Philip Green – with a pledge to return to its retail roots.

Takeover target Marks & Spencer is to return £2.3bn (€3.4bn) of cash to shareholders and focus on its core business as part of a strategy unveiled by chief executive Stuart Rose today.

Marks & Spencer boss Stuart Rose was given the backing of the City watchdog today following an inquiry into his dealings in the retailer’s shares.

The British Financial Services Authority said today it was taking no action against Stuart Rose following an inquiry into share dealings made by the Marks & Spencer boss.

Retail tycoon Philip Green has been set one-month deadline to launch a formal bid for Marks & Spencer, it emerged today.

Vittorio Radice has left troubled retail giant Marks and Spencer. He is the third director to quit in just over a week.

Marks & Spencer today stood firm against retail entrepreneur Philip Green by rejecting a £9bn (€13.5bn) takeover poposal.