Political - Marks and Spencers have cut salt and fat intake in many foods as part of fair trade. They have also make sure to support animal welfare and they recycle reusable goods. The government sets regulations for companies to follow such as Health and Safety, planning for hazard identificationa and risk control. If companies do not follow these regulations they will be fined or be forced to close down. Marks and Spencer did not abide by the British Standards as they were charged for neglecting health and safety regulations after a door fell on an employee. Marks and Spencer are alleged to have ignored repair requests, allowing the door to fall intodisrepair. Marks and Spencer pled not guilty to this; there is still no outcome of this trial.
Econimical – Marks and Spencers revenue growth was around 2% in 2012 and its Uk retail market growth was at 1.2% which is the third lowest in the last 40 years. Marks and Spencers reported a 1% drop in underlying profits to £705.9m for the year. Although slightly ahead of predictions of £694m, it marked the retailer's first decline in three years. Sales increased by £194m to £9.9bn; the original plan required sales to ratchet up by around £800m a year.
Social – Marks and Spencers keeps up to date with the social needs of customers most recently by creating low price versions of their products. Marks and Spencer aims to become a fair partner by working closely with suppliers in order to ensure that both workforces and communities in the company supply chain benefit.
Technological - Marks & Spencer hasn’t had a very modernised retail IT systems. 1As a result, M&S has lagged behind competitors such as Next and John Lewis, whose infrastructure has developed beyond Marks and spencer. Recently they have also reshaped their lorries to become more airlined
Environment – Marks and Spencers has become the first UK retailer to become fully carbon neuteral. This means that they release no carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. environmental issues addressed by Marks and Spencers range from energy saving and carbon emissions to Fairtrade and animal welfare; from waste management to sustainable sourcing of timber and fish. also now recycles 100% of its waste. 89% Of its food waste from stores goes straight to anaerobic digestors to generate energy. 31% of Marks and Spencers products now have a Plan A attribute such as Fairtrade, organic or made from recycled material
Legal - Interflora is suing Marks and Spencer for buying its brand name as a keyword on Google – in a legal battle that could change the way trademark laws apply to internet advertising.
