Marks & Spencer

How ethical and sustainable is Marks & Spencer? 

Marks & Spencers is included in The Good Shopping Guide’s Furniture Ethical Ratings Table. The furniture brand has yet to meet our ethical standards, but we hope that in the future, the brand will make the necessary changes to function as a more ethical organisation. Marks & Spencers might increase consumer trust by applying for Ethical Accreditation, which would include a more complete examination and suggestions for ethical development.

More information on the best sustainable furniture may be found in The Good Shopping Guide to Ethical Furniture. Then, in our Furniture Ethical Ratings Table compare it to other suppliers.

The history of Marks & Spencer

Marks & Spencer began in 1884 when a partnership between Michael Marks and Tom Spencer. Sometimes stylised M&S, this brand is a British retailer that specialises in food, clothing and homeware. Marks & Spencer has a large range of Furniture made in the UK. This ranges from sofas to dining tables. The brand is owned by Marks & Spencer Plc.

For which criteria does Marks & Spencer perform poorly? 

Marks & Spencer receives a bottom rating in the Timber Sourcing Policy criterion, as it no longer publishes information on its timber sourcing commitments.

Additionally, due to Marks & Spencer’s links to poor human rights practices, both directly and through its suppliers, the brand receives a bottom rating for the Human Rights and Human Rights+ criterion.

In what areas does Marks & Spencer score well for its ethics?

Marks & Spencer Furniture receives a high score for its Environmental Report as the brand details targets on becoming Net Zero, using recycled packaging and also providing evidence of its progress.

How can Marks & Spencer improve its Ethical Rating?

The Ethical Rating of a brand is amalgamated from three categories by The Good Shopping Guide: the Environment, People and Animals.

Marks & Spencer might apply for Ethical Accreditation for more detailed guidance on how to improve. M&S would be able to improve its rating and fulfil our fundamental ethical requirements by reassessing its treatment of both Animals and Humans within its supply chain.

Why not find out more about The Good Shopping Guide‘s Ethical Accreditation if you work for or with a Furniture company that is looking for a sustainability certification to verify its ESG, CSR and sustainability policies?

Contact us to learn more about Ethical Accreditation, or complete our short form for an initial sustainability assessment.