Marks & Spencer launches ‘Dress The Nation’, a new talent-search series in collaboration with ITV, showcasing ten contestants aiming for a design role at the retailer.
- The series features diverse candidates, including individuals like Tendai, Ryan, and Julie, who bring unique backgrounds and perspectives to the competition.
- The show complements M&S’s long-standing Marks & Start program, which has involved 30,000 participants since its inception and employed 1,000 people at M&S.
- Stuart Machin emphasizes his journey and the vast opportunities in retail, citing his experiences from starting at a supermarket to becoming M&S CEO.
- M&S is currently undergoing a significant transformation with a five-year store rotation program and plans to expand its food business despite financial challenges.
Marks & Spencer, in partnership with ITV, has unveiled a new talent-search series titled ‘Dress The Nation’. This six-part show highlights ten candidates vying for an in-house design role at M&S. Participants range in age and experience, including Tendai, 44, who previously worked in an NHS sewing room, Ryan, 21, a shop assistant from Swansea advocating for accessible clothing, and Julie, 54, an alterations shop owner. Their journeys represent the diversity and inclusivity of the fashion industry.
In addition to ‘Dress The Nation’, M&S’s initiative, the Marks & Start program, has made notable contributions over the past two decades. This program, in collaboration with The Prince’s Trust, provides work opportunities for individuals without formal qualifications. With placements available across various M&S disciplines, both locally and at its supply bases in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, the program has involved around 30,000 individuals, with 1,000 currently employed at M&S.
CEO Stuart Machin’s career trajectory in retail exemplifies the potential within the industry. Beginning at a supermarket, Machin advanced through roles at Tesco, Asda, and other renowned retailers before joining M&S in 2018 as managing director of food, eventually becoming CEO in 2022. Machin credits the retail sector for offering a wide array of opportunities. He believes passion and a commitment to hard work are essential, stating, ‘You can work in a store and serve customers, in distribution, marketing or finance. You can be a buyer, a product developer, or you can design lingerie.’
Despite the challenges posed by financial constraints and shifting consumer preferences, M&S continues to adapt and modernize. The company is in the midst of a transformative five-year store rotation program, aiming to modernize 280 stores and expand its food business. Machin remains optimistic about long-term developments, saying, ‘If we have a cold winter, we’re going to be great. If not, I never really worry about the short term.’
M&S’s strategic initiatives reflect bold commitments in retail innovation and workforce inclusivity, with CEO Stuart Machin steering transformative growth.
