The Story Behind Your Marks & Spencer clothes, post 468



The Origin of Marks

 The name Marks means son of Mark. Michael Marks was Jewish, as were many people in what was known as the rag trade. He had started a successful little business selling clothes in the market in Leeds. Later he wanted to expand. 

Meeting Spencer

He approached somebody who supplied him with goods.Would they like to invest some money and have a half share in the expanding company and profits? The man he approached, said no, but my accountant, Spencer, might be interested. Spencer was interested. 

Spencer was not Jewish. He was a Christian. How do I know and how can you check? Spencer and his wife are buried in a church cemetery.



St Michael

St Michael was the brand name Marks chose to honour and recall  and commemorate the name of his beloved late father Michael. I always wondered why a 'Jewish' company would have a brand which sounded christian. Now I have the answer. The compnay\s owners, like their customers were a mixture of religions. They all knew the English word saint. 

Marks and Spencer set out to be saintly, reliable. Classic clothes. Long-lasting. Quality control. Straight, firm seams. Spare buttons. Firmly inserted zips. 

The company expanded over the years. Now they are in Singapore, all over the world.

You can find their shops in major malls. And online. 

If you want to explore history, as well as see modern shops, plaques recalling them and their start are in Leeds, England.

I went to Marks & Spencer in London earlier this year and bought ladies underwear, sets of

Marks & Spencer brands

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Marks_%26_Spencer_brands

Useful Websites

Marks

https://www.marksandspencer.com/

wiki marks

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