Marks and Spencer

Visited the store this morning and it was very quiet which was both unexpected and brilliant as we had plenty of time to look around at all the Christmas food ideas. Great range of wines too.
Plenty of Percy pigs around if they are your thing as well as gift ideas.
Great to see the wine tasting station as well as fill your own cereals and nuts as well as a coffee bean selector and self fill. Pick your own eggs too.
Plenty of choice and all really well laid out which you can only really appreciate when the shop is quiet like it was today. Great to explore but don’t go when it is busy.

I shopped at M@S Hedge End yesterday, the sales assistant Karen McLean was particularly helpful and pleasant, nothing was too much trouble for her...delightful to get such great service. She helped me place a gift order on line efficiently with no difficulty.

Updated Oct. 22. Be aware that M&S clothing range does not cater for tall men. With regard to the Hedge End store, they recently seem to be playing loud pop "music" throughout the store. Why anyone would think that compulsory listening to someone else's choice of loud jarring "party" music is a store enhancing experience is beyond me. It's no problem to us to shop elsewhere.

Recently purchased 2 overcoats from M & S, online. A huge mistake. Both were order at the same size, but arrived completely different in size fitting. The sleeves were ridiculously long and best suited to an orangutan, not a normal human.

When asked Customer Service, and a local store, if M & S can do alterations, I was told, yes, no, I don't know and finally that they only do suit measurements by appointment.

This is not the first such encounter that I have suffered.

What an utter shambles M & S have become. Staff are very poorly trained and lack knowledge. Not their fault, it is the rot at the top leaching downwards.

Several years ago, I purchased an overcoat, in store, and was able to have it altered by the store, for a reasonable charge. Fantastic service, which is no more.

M & S is dying thanks to bad management.

M & S RIP.

Above and beyond customer service in the wine department today! We had been watching the Saturday kitchen show and they recommended a certain white wine from M&S.. so off we went to find some! We didn't see it on the shelf and a male member of staff was so helpful, he used his phone to watch the programme to check which wine it is, then checked stock and availability, sadly they had sold out but he was then very knowledgeable along with another member of staff and they recommended an alternative to us. It was very obvious that they know their wines and we thought the service was brilliant!

I went into the Hedge End store today to buy a profiterole stack as yesterday the date was too short so I went back today. Sadly they did not have any however when I was looking at other items the young lady who I spoke to yesterday ask if I had got my " profiterole stack" not only had she remembered me but she remembered what I wanted. When I said you don't have any she said I have some here I am about to put them out. This young ladies names is Emellia, she is a credit to your store and was so friendly, . Thank you Emillia from one very happy customer

Trying to access the Sparks element of the Mark's app was like trying to unravel the Gordian Knot. However, visiting the store my wife sought the assistance of a very helpful staff member, Claire, whom resolved the issue speedily and without fuss. Well done, Claire!

25.05.21 review update.
At main door entry member of staff assisting customers arrival at sanitizer station, but social distancing control ends here at the door.
Customers are allowed to mix and shop in close contact within all food displays.
Only staff stocking shelves are sticking to the required rules.
If you are concerned about shopping in a close environment, consider shopping on line for a covid safer shop.

Past reviews pre April 2021.

Large sales floor wide open space, easy access for customers who have restrictions. Available selection of very clean toilets on first floor with access by available lift. As from 13/10/20 ground floor toilet is closed. Two cafés are open with the small size café on ground floor or large café on first floor.
Easy parking near entry and a Sainburys petrol station availability with disabled toilet.
Very large controlled selection of different shopping trolleys to cater for all health restricting customer needs.
M&S food store price range are from moderate to high. Old style Post office pillar boxes available to post your letters
This M&S store has wide open access and egress entrance's to keep within the required government social distance rules.