// M&S expands third-party brand platform by introducing Clarks and Smiggle to its kidswear range
// The brands offer in store services, such as free measure & fitting for footwear, plus complementary new school accessories
Marks & Spencer has expanded its third-party brand platform as it welcomes Clarks and Smiggle to its kidswear range.
The retailer has introduced Clarks to 27 M&S stores and Smiggle to 60 stores, all in time for Back-to-School.
It has also welcomed Hype to eight M&S stores and Kickers and Jansport to its online platform.
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The brands offer in store services, such as free measure & fitting for footwear, plus complementary new school accessories – a category where M&S does not have an extensive own brand offer.
The third-party back-to-school offering is part of the wider ‘Brands at M&S’ strategy, which offers customers access to a selected group of brands and shopping benefits such as free next day Click-and-collect and Sparks loyalty programme.
M&S said the store expansion of Clarks, Hype and Smiggle follows the success of a trial in eight stores across the UK for Back-to-School last year.
Stores which featured Clarks complementary measure & fit service, on average saw an 8% rise in customers in store, increasing total kidswear sales by 13%.
“We’re really proud to be the UK market leader in children’s schoolwear, known for our trusted quality and everyday value,” M&S brands director Neil Harrison said.
“Back-to-school is a busy time for families and we want to make the shopping experience even easier for our customers by putting some of their favourite footwear and accessories brands, alongside our strong schoolwear offer.
“This is just one of the many ways we’re offering our 22 million Clothing & Home customers, more reasons to shop with M&S.”
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