Marks & Spencer unveils magazine-style website

Marks & Spencer has launched a new magazine-style website, which has

been tailored to offer users a “flagship experience” to help boost online sales.

The new website, which has been overseen by head of e-commerce Laura Wade-Gery, describes itself as a “brighter, bolder, better” site, which has more emphasis on editorial content to inspire a “more refined shopping experience”.

The retailer has rolled out the new look magazine-style site across its desktop and tablet versions, as well updated its various mobile sites and apps. Key differences include larger product images, they are now 50 percent bigger than on the previous site, a maxi-zoom feature on the images, and catwalk videos to give customers a better view of the products before buying, plus the site also showcases more head-to-toe looks of all its key fashion trends.

There is also a ‘Style & Living’ section that will act as the retailers “daily lifestyle edit”, offering fashion advice to beauty tips through its ‘Editor’s Pick’, ‘Trend Spotlight’, ‘Get The Look’, and ‘In The Moment’ features.

“We’re making a big play of being a daily publisher from a style point of view,” Wade-Gery told Retail Week. “We need to cater for people who know what they want and for those looking for inspiration.”

Marks & Spencer's new website cost a reported 150 million pounds in a bid to streamline its multi-channel platform. M&S' previous website was hosted by Amazon, however since the company's billion pound logistical upgrade, the new e-commerce distribution centre will be self operated out of Castle Donington in centeral England. Plans for faster deliveries and real-time stock checks are expected to be rolled out later this year.

This week, Marks & Spencer’s ‘Best of British’ range made its debut at London Fashion Week. The collection, designed to celebrate the best of British design, fabric and manufacturing, featured winter coats, elegant workwear, and tailored items from fabrics sourced from British suppliers.