M&S reveals three years progress of Plan A

Marks & Spencer has published the results of the third year of its attempts to transform itself into the country's greenest retailer.


The chain, commonly referred to as M&S, set up Plan A – ‘because there is no Plan B’ – in 2007.

Soon to depart chairman, Sir Stuart Rose, announced the progress as he launched a now annual report this week claiming M&S was ‘making a real difference’.

Sir Stuart said M&S had reduced food packaging by 20%, used 417M fewer carrier bags last year and ploughed back more than £50M of profit back into the business from Plan A activities.

In the How We Do Business Report Sir Stuart also announced 62 of the original 100 commitments made under Plan A have been achieved.

He also said 30 are ‘on plan’ to be achieved by 2012 and seven are ‘behind plan’ as a result of ‘unexpected challenges’, one, he listed was the use of bio-diesel which is on hold ‘until sustainable supplies’ become available.

He said: “We’ve made excellent progress, but there’s no time to stand still.

“It is clear evidence of environmental damage and social inequality has increased since we launched Plan A.

“That’s why we’re now pushing ahead with our new, bigger and bolder version of Plan A with 80 new commitments and the ultimate goal to become the world’s most sustainable retailer by 2015.”

Plan A was extended in March this year to incorporate 80 new commitments and extensions to the original commitments.

Progress on the new and extended commitments will be reported on in the 2011 How We Do Business Report.

Luke Walsh

Action inspires action. Stay ahead of the curve with sustainability and energy newsletters from edie

Subscribe