M&S plans second one-day sale to beat Christmas crunch

By Nikki Sandison, brandrepublic.com, Tuesday, 25 November 2008 11:15AM

LONDON - Marks & Spencer is planning another one-day sale to draw in Christmas bargain hunters following the success of its first discount day when prices were slashed by 20%, according to a report.

The retailer is considering holding a second "one-day spectacular" on December 4, two weeks after its last sale, according to a report in The Daily Telegraph.

It is understood to be in talks with media buying agencies about booking ads to promote the second event next week.

A spokeswoman for M&S refused to confirm the sale but did not rule it out either, saying that people would have to "wait and see".

M&S was pleased with last week's sale, its first pre-Christmas sale in four years, which led to queues at the cash desks.

It was hailed a success by chief executive Sir Stuart Rose who said: "It seems to have touched the spot. It's a riot."

M&S is one of many retailers offering pre-Christmas discounts this year including House of Fraser which is planning a two-day sale on Thursday and Friday this week, with prices cut by 40%.

Discount vouchers are circulating on the internet with Woolworths knocking 20% off for "friends and family" who print off the voucher and Selfridges employing a similar tactic.

This article was first published on brandrepublic.com