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May 16, 2008

Friday rant to the M&S shareholders

This post has nothing really to do with Talent Technology but it is Friday and it is about a retailer!

Anyway, I popped into M&S earlier to get a sandwich and got a bit of a surprise from the big Plan A!

Plan_a

So, picked up a basket, chose my sandwich, added some of those fantastic had cooked crisps and a piece of cake.  Friday health day well on its way!  Of course, I got some other bits for the kids whilst I was at it and by the time I had got to the till I was facing a total sandwich bill of £25 or so.

Good business for M&S; but as their food is so nice how can one resist?

"Would you like to buy a 5p carrier bag as well sir?"

"Not really."

"Well, you can have a 10p one that will last longer."

"Really, well let me choose which items I really want and see if we can get it all in just the one 5p bag then."

So, I got rid of those little luxuries and managed with just the one 5p bag.  I then paid by credit card which probably cost M&S more than 5p. 

Now, I accept this may all sound a little petty and in fairness to M&S most of the product packaging could be recycled.  But, I do recycle as much as possible, the gas guzzlers are being replaced with hybrids and I buy organic when I can.  But, I do not appreciate Mr Rose telling me what I can and cannot do.  Plan A my a**e, I popped into Tesco on the way home and picked up the bits I left at M&S and got free bags.

If someone goes into McDonalds they do not need a lecture on eating healthily; they have already made a decision on what to eat.  M&S can do their bit but surely not at the expense of a personal crusade that affects shareholder value by annoying customers who:

  1. Spend less.
  2. Go to Tesco's instead.
  3. Avoid M&S in the future.
  4. Limit what they buy as they don't carry bags with them every time they want a sandwich and a few bits unexpectedly.

I could go on but won't.  Point made, rant over, Tesco win again!

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About Peter Gold

About Peter Gold

A hands-on, experienced social media and talent technology consultant with a strange passion for running in harsh places.

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