B1 – Intermediate
By 2021, Marks & Spencer (M&S) had incurred debts of about £200m. Their sales decreased by almost a third when the lockdowns during the pandemic happened.
Fast forward to 2024, we’ve heard some positive news for this clothing and homeware brand. Their profits have increased a lot.
Listen to this audio and read the transcript about M&S’ growth.
https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/ms-makes-more-money-level-3/
Vocabulary Questions:
- What is a “retailer”? “British retailer Marks & Spencer (M&S) saw a 58% rise in yearly profit, beating expectations.” Make your own sentence with this word.
- Define “margin target”. “M&S hit their margin targets early, with 4.8% in food and 10.3% in clothing and home.” Make your own sentence with this phrase.
- What does “market share” mean? “They aim to increase their market share by 2027/28 and are confident about the future.” Make your own sentence with this phrase.
Discussion Questions:
- What are the things you know about M&S?
- What can you say about Marks & Spencer’s higher profits?
- What have they been doing to improve their sales?
- How can a company increase their market share?
- What has your company done to improve sales and increase market share?