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Marks and Spencer Group PLC

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FY2001 Annual Report · Marks and Spencer Group PLC
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Chairman’s statement

www.marksandspencer.com

1

Luc Vandevelde Chairman and Chief Executive

One of the most revealing things about my first full year at Marks
& Spencer was that almost every action or announcement has
received front page and prime time television news coverage. This
is a powerful reminder to me of how important Marks & Spencer
is to British people, how close to the nation’s heart we really are.

When I joined I had to face up to the fact that, in
recent years, Marks & Spencer had allowed itself
to be distracted from its fundamental strengths and
values. Many of the initiatives were peripheral,
aimed at attracting new customers in the short
term, rather than serving our loyal supporters.
Meanwhile, we embarked upon an intense
programme of change, much of it long overdue.
It has been very disruptive but we have learnt
from it.

I’d like to tell you what we’ve been doing
to build on this first attempt at change. I took
over as Chief Executive in September 2000. My
priority was to put in place a strong Executive
team to take stock of where we were and create
a proper platform to return the Company to
growth. Four new Directors have joined the
Board since May 2000. Kevin Lomax and
Tony Ball joined as Non-Executive Directors and
David Norgrove and Roger Holmes as Executive
Directors. Together with Alison Reed, Finance
Director designate, who has worked closely with
Robert Colvill, they have already had a strong
and positive influence.

I would like to thank the seven Directors
who left the Board, particularly Peter Salsbury,
who preceded me as Chief Executive. Peter
inherited a formidable task and, to his credit,
had the courage to make many difficult but

necessary decisions. We have also recently
announced the retirement, at the forthcoming
AGM on 11 July, of three of our Non-Executive
Directors; Sir Michael Perry, Sir Ralph Robins
and Sir David Sieff. I thank them for their
considerable contributions over the years.

With the new team in place, we have been

able to conduct a thorough strategic review,
resulting in the Group restructure and UK Retail
operational plan announced on 29 March 2001.
We are streamlining the Company in order to
focus on our UK business, while providing a
more appropriate capital structure by returning
£2 billion to our shareholders. Although some
of the decisions we’ve taken are painful, they
are necessary if Marks & Spencer is to return
to growth, and they will improve our ability
to compete and respond more quickly to
operational demands. 

Of course it was very hard to come to the
decision to propose the closure of our Continental
European and Direct catalogue businesses, and
to sell our two US businesses. The American
companies are trading well, but they do not
represent a basis for developing Marks & Spencer
in the USA. On the Continent, we could no
longer afford to make losses and so jeopardise
our main business. Our experience illustrates that
to succeed internationally when entering mature

2 Marks and Spencer p.l.c.

Chairman’s statement

markets, you must adapt your store formats
to the competitive realities of those markets.
The success of our franchise businesses in
26 countries around the world demonstrates
the value of local knowledge in adapting to the
local market. We will also continue to operate
our successful business in the Republic of Ireland.

Our strategic review also reinforced the

importance of the founding principles of this
Company, and it is to a contemporary version
of these that we are returning. We will sell 100%
own brand merchandise so we can guarantee
the quality for which we are known; we will
work hard to develop further our strong, direct
relationships with our suppliers; we will aim
for market leadership in every category in which
we trade; and concentrate on our principle
of ‘assisted self-selection’. The appeal and
availability of what is in our stores should speak
for itself, and products should be easy to find
and buy within attractive store environments.
Roger Holmes, Managing Director of UK
Retail, joined us in January 2001 and he and his
team have translated these strategic principles,
in a short space of time, into a solid operational
plan for our UK Retail business. Roger has
appointed new design talent to deliver the
clothing our traditional customers demand,
as well as to appeal to our younger customers.
With strengthened new teams now in place,
and a period of stability where they are
learning from each new season, I have every
confidence we will succeed, although there
remains a lot of hard work to be done.

So, what of the future? Stories in the news
often claim the Marks & Spencer brand has lost
its lustre, is no longer attractive, and that people
don’t want to shop with us any more. Naturally
I disagree with this view. This is still a unique
Company, with unique fundamental strengths

and the most dedicated staff of any retailer in
the UK. We are a large general retailer with
growing businesses in food, home furnishings,
gifts, beauty and financial services. We are the
country’s largest clothing retailer, attracting
millions of shoppers every week to 300 stores
in the best locations. We have a leading share in
the fastest-growing food categories in the market,
and unrivalled food development capabilities.
We have the scale and authority to develop clothing
innovations that other retailers just cannot match.
What retailer in the world would not want these
qualities? Our unique advantages offer a much
broader prospect for the future, beyond the scope
of the present Company and, once the recovery
platform is fully established, I am determined to
exploit this potential.

In summary, we have made mistakes and
have admitted them. We know that this year
our most loyal customers haven’t always found
the clothes they want in our stores. But, I stated
when I joined that Marks & Spencer used to be
the standard against which other retailers judged
themselves, not just in the UK, but internationally.
This year we have put a first class management
team and operational plan in place to complement
the inherent strengths and capabilities of our
people and I am personally committed to leading
the Company’s recovery. I am confident we have
now prepared the ground to get on with doing
what Marks & Spencer does best, and so restore
our reputation to full strength.

Luc Vandevelde
Chairman and Chief Executive

Financial review

Group structure
The Group reports the results of three operating divisions:

UK Retail
International Retail
Financial Services

A fourth division, Property, manages the internal financial
dynamics between the Group’s interests as owner of property
on the one hand, and as operator on the other hand. This is
separately reported for internal purposes only.

The UK Retail division, the largest of the operating divisions,
is itself sub-divided into seven business units, each representing
a defined area of merchandise:

Womenswear
Menswear
Lingerie
Childrenswear
Beauty
Home
Foods

The first six business units are reported as ‘General’, and footage
is allocated between them depending on demand and seasonal
factors. The space allocated to the largest single business unit,
Foods, is relatively inflexible.

Rent is charged internally to the UK Retail division based
on the estimated rental value of the space occupied. The same
occupancy costs are carried in the management accounts for the
seven business units within UK Retail. Profit and loss accounts
are also prepared for internal purposes at store level based on
this market rent.

Group summary

Summary of results

2001
52 weeks
£m

2000
53 weeks
£m

Turnover (ex VAT)
Operating profit (before exceptional charges) 467.0
(26.5)
Exceptional operating charges
440.5
Operating profit (after exceptional charges)
(308.9)
Non-operating exceptional charges
13.9
Interest
145.5
Profit on ordinary activities before tax

8,075.7 8,195.5
543.0
(72.0)
471.0
(67.7)
14.2
417.5

Basic earnings per share
Adjusted earnings per share
Dividend per share

0.0p
11.4p
9.0p

9.0p
13.2p
9.0p

www.marksandspencer.com

3

Profit on ordinary activities before tax of £145.5m (last year
£417.5m) is shown after charging £335.4m for exceptional items
(last year £139.7m).

This year’s financial reporting period covers 52 weeks.
An estimate of operating profit (before exceptional items) for
the 52-week comparative period last year is shown below.

Operating profit

UK Retail
Financial Services1
International Retail:

Europe
North America
Far East

Total International
Excess interest charged to cost 
of sales of Financial Services

Total operating profit
Interest

Profit before tax and exceptionals

2001

2000

52 weeks
£m

52 weeks
£m

53 weeks
£m

334.8
96.3

386.8
115.9

420.1
115.9

(11.4)
32.0
7.4
28.0

7.9

467.0
13.9

480.9

(9.4)
14.0
(4.3)
0.3

–

503.0
14.2

517.2

(6.1)
16.4
(3.3)
7.0

–

543.0
14.2

557.2

Adjusted earnings per share 

11.4p

12.2p

13.2p

1Financial Services operating profit is stated after £16.2m of merchant fee
income from UK Retail (last year £nil).

Review of performance by operating division – UK Retail
Sales and footage
UK Retail sales for the period were £6,293.0m (last year, 
52-week comparative period, £6,351.1m). 

A summary of the sales performance (including VAT) for the
year is given below. Like-for-like sales, which are estimated by
comparing total sales with new and developed stores excluded,
are also given:

Clothing, footwear 

& gifts

Home

General
Foods

Total

Actual Like-for-like
sales % on sales % on
last year
52 weeks

last year
52 weeks

–5.5
+11.5

–4.2
+3.7

–1.0

–
–

–6.3
+2.6

–2.6

Group turnover

UK Retail
International Retail
Financial Services

Total

6,293.0 6,482.7
1,419.6 1,348.2
364.6

363.1

8,075.7 8,195.5

The average selling price of general merchandise was reduced
by approximately 2.5%, which, coupled with a decline in the
number of units sold of some 1.5%, contributed to the overall
fall in general sales.

Overall food inflation was in the region of 1%.

4 Marks and Spencer p.l.c.

Financial review

At the end of March 2001 we had 303 stores (including three
outlet stores which opened during the year) with a selling space
of 12.4m sq ft compared with 12.3m sq ft the previous year.
The UK shape of the chain, based on closing footage, is

(b) North America
The Group operates two businesses in North America:
Brooks Brothers and Kings Super Markets. An analysis of
sales and operating profit is shown below.

shown below:

Departmental Stores 38.2%

Regional Centres 27.8%

Small Stores 15.7%

High Street Stores 18.3%

Net achieved margin
Within clothing, results of better buying practices were seen
in a substantially improved primary margin. The net achieved
margin percentage improved over last year’s level, despite a
significant increase in the cost of markdowns.

Operating costs
The increase in UK Retail operating costs was contained to
3.2% (on a 52-week comparative basis). The main components
of the increase were:

(i) higher property-related costs as a result of the concept store

rollout (£13.0m);

(ii) merchant service fees payable on third party credit card
transactions (£9.0m) and inter-company fees payable to
the Financial Services division for the acceptance of the
Marks & Spencer Chargecard (£16.2m), this latter charge
being treated as income in the results of the division. The
charges date from the acceptance of third party credit
cards in April 2000.

International Retail 
The International Retail business consists of three broad
geographic areas: Europe (including the Republic of Ireland),
North America and the Far East.

The results from our Franchise businesses which, at 31 March

2001, operated 125 franchise stores in 26 countries, are also
incorporated in the reported performance of International Retail.
Financial information given in paragraphs (a) to (c) below
for financial year 2000 covers a 52-week trading period and has
been calculated using constant exchange rates.

(a) Europe (excluding UK)
An analysis of sales and operating profit before exceptional
charges is shown below.

Continental Europe
Republic of Ireland 
and franchises

Total Europe

Turnover

Operating profit/(loss)

2001
£m

2000
£m

2001
£m

2000
£m

285.0

278.6

(34.0)

(26.0)

263.3

548.3

251.3

529.9

22.6

(11.4)

17.2

(8.8)

At 31 March 2001, the Group traded in 45 stores excluding
franchises (last year 40 stores), covering 1,563k sq ft (last year
1,517k sq ft).

Brooks Brothers
Kings Super Markets
Corporate costs

Total North America

Turnover

Operating profit

2001
£m

448.1
313.1
–

761.2

2000
£m

427.3
294.6
–

721.9

2001
£m

20.2
11.9
(0.1)

32.0

2000
£m

6.4
11.8
(2.8)

15.4

At 31 March 2001, Brooks Brothers traded in 221 stores
(last year 222 stores) and 1,011k sq ft (last year 991k sq ft);
Kings Super Markets operated 27 stores (last year 25 stores)
with 453k sq ft (last year 430k sq ft).

(c) Far East
Sales increased by approximately 4% to £110.1m (last year
£105.9m), and operating profit to £7.4m (last year loss of £4.8m).
At 31 March 2001 we traded in 10 stores in Hong Kong with

aggregate footage of 202k sq ft (last year 223k sq ft).

(d) International restructure
On 29 March 2001, the Group announced the intention to:

• close all European subsidiary operations, with the exception
of the Republic of Ireland and the franchises. The closures
would represent 41 stores and 1,264k sq ft;

• convert our wholly owned subsidiary operation in

Hong Kong to a franchise; and

• sell Brooks Brothers and Kings Super Markets.

Financial Services
This operating division includes six profit centres:

Store Cards
Personal Lending
Unit Trusts
Life Assurance
Personal Insurance
MS Insurance

The overall results are given in the segmental analysis (see note 2,
page 24).

The first five of the six profit centres are managed as a single

operation (the results for the Life Assurance company being
aggregated on an Embedded Value basis). MS Insurance derives
the majority of its underwriting business from the other
Financial Services activities.

The scale of current business levels is indicated below:

Account
Cards

Personal
Lending

Unit

Life
Trusts Assurance

Number of accounts/

policy holders (000s)

2001
2000

5,009
5,101

548
567

174
186

Customer outstandings/funds 
under management (£m)

2001
2000

634
646

1,625
1,495

1,042
1,166

80
58

n/a
n/a

www.marksandspencer.com

5

The credit activities are carried out within Marks and Spencer
Financial Services Limited, an institution authorised under the
Banking Act 1987. The Unit Trust, Life Assurance and Corporate
PEP/ISA businesses are carried out by companies regulated by
IMRO, PIA and the FSA.

Earnings per share
An adjusted earnings per share figure of 11.4p (last year
52 weeks 12.2p; 53 weeks 13.2p) has been calculated
excluding the effect of the exceptional items noted above.
Details of the calculation are given in note 9, page 27.

Exceptional charges
Total exceptional charges of £335.4m have been provided for.
Details are noted below.

Dividend
A final dividend of 5.3p (last year 5.3p) is proposed, making
the total dividend for the year 9.0p (last year 9.0p).

(a) Continental Europe
The Group has announced its intention to close loss-making
businesses in Continental Europe, subject to the full consultation
which the Board recognised would need to take place. The
decision to carry out any such plan would only be taken after
this consultation had been completed with the competent
employee representative bodies and if no other solution has
been found during the consultation.

Net closure costs of £224.0m have been provided,
covering future trading losses, losses on disposal of assets
and redundancy costs.

(b) Direct
A provision of £35.5m has been made, consisting of £16.5m
closure costs charged against operating profit and a £19.0m
loss on asset disposals.

(c) Properties
The closure of six satellite stores and footage reduction in a
further two stores (totalling 170k sq ft) gave rise to a charge
of £40.2m. 

In addition, further charges have been made to provide for

the disposal of approximately half of the Manchester store,
and the closure of stores in Salford, West Ealing and Torquay.
The total provision for UK store closures and footage

reductions, including the satellites, is £64.2m.

(d) Other
Exceptional charges have been made for the elimination of roles
at the Group’s head office (£10.0m) and the loss incurred on the
sale of the Group’s 65% interest in Splendour.com Ltd (£1.7m).

Interest
Net interest income decreased to £13.9m from £14.2m last year.
Average sterling borrowings were at 6.5% (last year 6%) and
although average sterling cash balances (including interest-
bearing investments) were £544m (last year £422m), a greater
proportion was used for internal Group funding.

Interest payments on intra-group and external borrowings for

the Financial Services business are charged to that business as
cost of sales. The operating profit for Financial Services is shown
in the segmental analysis (see note 2, page 24). The total interest
cost incurred by Financial Services was £115.3m (last year
£105.5m). In the consolidated accounts, the excess of intra-
group interest over third-party interest payable, has been added
back in the segmental analysis to arrive at total operating profit.

Taxation
The pre-exceptional tax charge for the year was £151.2m, giving
an effective rate of 31.4% (last year 31.8%).

After exceptional charges, the tax charge for the year was
£142.7m, a rate of 98.1%. This is due to the value of exceptional
items which will not attract tax relief.

Cash flow
The analysis of the increase in net debt, which follows, shows
the operating cash flows within Retailing and Financial Services
activities. The cash inflow from Financial Services operating
activities is stated after a £117.8m increase in loans and
advances to customers.

Total net debt of £1,277.8m, is after higher borrowings
(£1,647.2m) relating to Financial Services. Net cash in the
other operating divisions totals £369.4m. (See balance sheet
commentary that follows):

Cash flow analysis

Net debt at 31 March 2000
Cash inflow from Retail operating activities
Cash inflow from Financial Services

operating activities

Capital expenditure (net of disposals)
Dividends
Tax
Other 

Increase in net debt

£m

(1,251.4)
654.2

22.2
(258.2)
(258.6)
(164.6)
(21.4)

(26.4)

Net debt at 31 March 2001

(1,277.8)

Capital expenditure
Capital expenditure (gross) during the year totalled £255.7m
(last year £450.6m). Capital expenditure is expected to be
broadly level in the financial year 2001/2002.

Financing
The £2.0bn Medium Term Note (‘MTN’) programme continues
to be used as a flexible and cost effective source of funds.
Nine MTNs were issued during the year in various currencies
with a sterling equivalent of £391.6m. Maturities ranged from
six months to 12 months and proceeds were swapped into
operating currencies. The Group’s total outstandings within
this programme at the end of the financial year were equivalent
to £1,085.1m.

During the year the Group established a global commercial

paper programme with a maximum amount of £1bn which
absorbed the existing US dollar commercial paper programme.
This provides a flexible and cost effective source of short-term
funds, to complement the MTN programme. The commercial
paper programme will be used in conjunction with existing
uncommitted bank facilities of £590.0m.

To support the commercial paper programme, committed
banking facilities have also been arranged totalling £425.0m
with a small group of relationship banks.

Details of the maturity profile of borrowings are given in

note 21B, page 36.

6 Marks and Spencer p.l.c.

Financial review

During the year, both the leading credit agencies reduced
the Group’s long-term credit ratings: Standard & Poor’s to AA-
and Moody’s to A2.

In April of this year, Standard & Poor’s further reduced the
Group’s long-term rating to A and the short-term rating to A1.
The short-term rating with Moody’s remains at P1.

(a) Interest rate risk
As the majority of debt currently finances the operation of
Financial Services (see point (e) below), current Group policy
is to maintain the majority of its debt as floating rate (currently
95%) and this is achieved with the help of interest rate swaps
and forward rate agreements.

(b) Foreign currency risk
Currency exposure arising from exports from the UK to overseas
subsidiaries has been managed by using forward currency
contracts to hedge between 80% and 100% of sales for periods
averaging 10 to 15 months forward. Following the announced
possible sale or closure of the majority of the overseas
subsidiaries during the next financial year, sales forecasts have
been adjusted and an appropriate level of hedging put in place.
Imports are primarily contracted in sterling and only economic
exposures arise. In future, the Group will be increasing the
proportion of imports contracted in local currencies and a
policy is in place for the hedging of these exposures, principally
using forward currency contracts.

The Group does not use derivatives to hedge balance sheet

and profit and loss account translation exposures. Where
appropriate, borrowings are arranged in local currencies to
provide a natural hedge against overseas assets.

(c) Liquidity risk
The objective is to ensure a mix of funding methods offering
flexibility and cost effectiveness to match the needs of the
Group. Operating subsidiaries are financed by a combination
of retained profits, bank borrowings, commercial paper and
medium term notes. Commercial paper issuance is backed
by committed bank facilities totalling £425.0m.

(d) Counterparty risk
The objective is to reduce the risk of loss arising from default
by counterparties. The risk is managed by using a number of
banks and allocating each a credit limit according to credit
rating criteria. These limits are reviewed regularly by senior
management. Dealing mandates and derivative agreements
are agreed with the banks prior to deals being arranged.

(e) Financial Services division
Interest rate exposures for the Financial Services division
are managed, as far as practical, by matching the periods of
borrowings and their interest basis with that of the customer
debt. Interest rate swaps are used to convert fixed income from
personal loan customers to short-term variable income to match
short-term variable rate borrowings.

The details of derivatives and other financial instruments
required by FRS 13 ‘Derivatives and Other Financial Instruments:
Disclosures’, are shown in notes 18, 21 and 23 to the accounts.

Share buy-back 
Shareholder approval was given at the July 2000 AGM to buy
back up to 10% of issued shares. During the financial year,
10,619,272 shares (representing 0.4% of issued share capital)
were purchased in the market for a total consideration of
£20.3m, at an average price of 190.8p. This was undertaken
in order to generate shareholder value.

Balance sheet
The Group balance sheet consolidates Retailing and Financial
Services businesses which have very different characteristics.
The salient figures are disaggregated below:

Retail & Financial Services balance sheets 1 April 2001

Retailing
2001
£m

Financial
Services
2001
£m

Total
Group
2001
£m

Fixed assets
Stocks
Loans & advances to customers
Other debtors
Trade & other creditors
Net cash/(debt)

4,162.4
472.5

14.8 4,177.2
472.5
–
– 2,259.2 2,259.2
370.1
(201.7) (1,340.2)
369.4 (1,647.2) (1,277.8)

75.0

295.1
(1,138.5)

Net assets

4,160.9

500.1 4,661.0

Loans and advances to customers have increased to £2.3bn
(last year £2.1bn). Within this, £1.7bn relates to personal lending
with the balance representing Chargecard debt.

Treasury policy and financial risk management
The Board approves treasury policies and senior management
directly controls day-to-day operations.

The Group’s financial instruments, other than derivatives,
comprise borrowings, cash and liquid resources and various
items, such as trade debtors and trade creditors, that arise
directly from its operations. The main purpose of these financial
instruments is to raise finance for the Group’s operations.

The Group’s Treasury also enters into derivatives transactions,

principally interest rate and currency swaps, forward foreign
currency contracts and forward rate agreements. The purpose
of such transactions is to manage the interest rate and currency
risks arising from the Group’s operations and financing.

It has been and remains the Group’s policy that no trading

in financial instruments shall be undertaken.

The main financial risks faced by the Group relate to interest

rates, foreign exchange rates, liquidity, counterparty and the
financial risks associated with the Financial Services operation.
The policies and strategies for managing these risks are
summarised as follows:

www.marksandspencer.com

7

Euro
The announcement of the intention to close all Marks & Spencer
subsidiary stores in Continental Europe has led to a reassessment
of our Euro Programme, but the Group’s presence in the
Republic of Ireland (four stores) and stated intention to accept
the Euro as a foreign currency in the UK, means changes to
systems and training of staff will still be required.

A cost of approximately £2m is expected in financial year
2001/2002 to complete the necessary work, giving an overall
cost for the introduction of the Euro of approximately £8m.

Accounting developments
In November and December 2000, the Accounting Standards
Board issued FRS 17 ‘Retirement Benefits‘, FRS 18 ‘Accounting
Policies’ and FRS 19 ‘Deferred Tax’.

FRS 18 will be implemented for the year ended 31 March 2002

and is not expected to have a material impact on the Group.

FRS 19 will be effective for the year ended 31 March 2002

and will require deferred tax to be recognised on a full
provision basis. Implementing the standard will require a
change in accounting policy since the Group currently provides
deferred tax on timing differences where it is considered
probable that a liability will crystallise. The current level of
unprovided deferred tax is given in note 22 on page 37.

FRS 17 will be fully effective for the year ended 31 March 2004
when a change in accounting policy will be required to recognise
an asset or liability on the Group balance sheet in respect of
the surplus or deficit on the defined benefit pension schemes.
It will also be necessary to recognise immediately actuarial
gains and losses in the statement of total recognised gains
and losses.

Going concern statement
After making enquiries, the directors have a reasonable
expectation that the Group has adequate resources to continue
in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For this
reason, they have adopted the going concern basis in preparing
the financial statements.

8 Marks and Spencer p.l.c.

Corporate governance

The Group is committed to high standards of corporate
governance and has applied the Combined Code principles
as follows:

Directors
As at 31 March 2001 the Board comprises 12 directors,
seven of whom are non-executive. Since September 2000
when Peter Salsbury resigned from the Board as Chief Executive,
Luc Vandevelde has headed the Board as Chairman and Chief
Executive. The Board recognises that this is to address current
business needs and has balanced the power by:
• appointing Roger Holmes to the Board (1 January 2001) as

Managing Director of UK Retail;

• appointing two new non-executive directors (1 September

2000), Tony Ball and Kevin Lomax;

• having a majority of non-executive directors on the Board,

with a wide range of experience and expertise, who bring an
independent judgement on issues of strategy, performance
and resources;

• retaining 100% non-executive membership of the principal
Corporate Governance Committees (Audit, Remuneration
and Nomination).

A full list of the directors, along with their biographies and the
Board Committees on which they sit, is given on page 20 of the
Annual Review. Following the retirement of Sir Martin Jacomb
(17 July 2000) the non-executive directors nominated Brian
Baldock as the Senior Independent Director. Sir David Sieff is
not considered independent for the purposes of the Combined
Code because of his previously held executive position in
the Group.

All directors have access to the advice and services of the

Company Secretary, Graham Oakley, who ensures that the
Board, which meets at least eight times per year, receives
appropriate and timely information for its decision making, that
Board procedures are followed and that statutory and regulatory
requirements are met. He also assists the Chairman in ensuring
that all directors are properly briefed on issues arising at Board
meetings. Directors receive appropriate induction training when
they join the Group and coaching to develop individual skills
as required.

There is an established procedure whereby any director,
wishing to do so in the furtherance of his or her duties, may
take independent professional advice at the Group’s expense.
Under the Company’s Articles of Association, the nearest
number to but not exceeding one third of the Board shall retire
each year by rotation. The Board has resolved that all directors
are required to offer themselves for re-election at least every
three years and the Articles will be amended to reflect this
practice when they are next revised.

Principal Board committees
The Board has a formal schedule of matters reserved to itself.
The Board has delegated certain responsibilities to Board
Committees, which operate within clearly defined terms of
reference, reporting regularly to the Board and include: 

Audit Committee: assists the Board in fulfilling its overview
responsibilities, primarily reviewing the reporting of financial
and non-financial information to shareholders, the systems
of internal control and risk management, and the audit
process. It comprises all the non-executive directors, is chaired
by Kevin Lomax and meets at least three times annually.
The external auditors and the Chief Internal Auditor attend all
meetings, which executive directors also have a right to attend. 

In November 2000, the Financial Services division established
its own Audit Committee which meets three times a year, reports
regularly to the Financial Services Board and annually to the
Group Audit Committee.

The Audit Committee also keeps under review the
independence and objectivity of the external auditors.
The Committee reviews the nature and amount of non-audit
work undertaken by PricewaterhouseCoopers (‘PwC’) each
year to satisfy itself that there is no effect on their independence.
PwC are also subject to professional standards which safeguard
the integrity of the auditing role they perform on behalf of our
shareholders. Details of this year’s fees are given in note 3 on
page 25.

Remuneration Committee: ensures the executive directors
and senior management are appropriately rewarded, giving
due regard to the financial and commercial health of the
Group. It comprises all the non-executive directors except for
Sir David Sieff, is chaired by Dame Stella Rimington, and
meets at least five times annually. The Committee does not
retain remuneration consultants but seeks professional advice
as required.

Nomination Committee: keeps under review the Board
structure, size and composition; selects and proposes to the
Board suitable candidates for appointment as directors of the
Group, and considers Board successional plans. It comprises all
the non-executive directors, is chaired by Brian Baldock, and
meets as required.

Corporate Social Responsibility Committee: provides the
Board with an overview of the social and ethical impact of
the Group’s activities including community involvement,
environmental management and ethical trading. It comprises
two executive directors, one non-executive director and three
divisional directors, is chaired by Robert Colvill and meets at
least four times annually.

Directors’ remuneration
The Remuneration Report appears on pages 10 to 15 and
contains a statement of remuneration policy and details of
the remuneration of each director. The remuneration of non-
executive directors is determined by the Chairman together with
the other executive directors. The Board considers each year
whether shareholders should be invited to consider separately
the Remuneration Report at the AGM, and does not consider it
necessary at the 2001 AGM.

Relations with shareholders
The Group is committed to ongoing communication across its
entire shareholder base, whether institutional investors, private
or employee shareholders. This is achieved principally through
regular annual and interim reports, quarterly trading statements
and the AGM. The Group’s website at www.marksandspencer.com
contains corporate and customer information updated on a
regular basis.

Regular dialogue and presentations take place throughout
the year with institutional investors. The AGM held in July in
London is well attended by shareholders who receive a business
presentation and have the opportunity to ask questions of the
full Board including the chairs of the Audit, Remuneration and
Nomination Committees. The results of the proxy voting are
declared at the meeting and are published on the Group’s
website together with a resumé of the Meeting.

www.marksandspencer.com

9

At the Group level, treasury policies are regularly reviewed by
the Treasury Committee and any changes are approved by the
Board. The Corporate Social Responsibility (‘CSR’) Committee
co-ordinates the Group’s CSR strategy including community
involvement, environmental management, ethical trading, health
and safety and employment policy.

Assurance
On behalf of the Board, the Audit Committee examines the
effectiveness of the Group’s:
• assessment of risk by reviewing evidence of risk assessment

activity and a report from internal audit on the risk
assessment process;

• systems of internal control primarily through agreeing the
scope of the internal audit programme and reviewing its
findings, reviews of the annual and interim financial
statements and a review of the nature and scope of the
external audit.

Any significant findings or identified risks are closely examined
so that appropriate action can be taken.

The work of the internal audit department is focused on
areas of priority as identified by risk analysis and in accordance
with an annual audit plan approved each year by the Audit
Committee and by the Board. The Board receives a full report
from the Chief Internal Auditor each year on the department’s
work and findings and regular interim updates on specific issues.
The external auditors are engaged to express an opinion on

the financial statements. They review and test the systems of
internal financial control and the data contained in the financial
statements to the extent necessary to express their audit opinion.
They discuss with management the reporting of operational
results and the financial condition of the Group and present
their findings to the Audit Committee.

The directors through the Audit Committee have reviewed

the effectiveness of the Group’s systems of internal control.

Continuous improvement
It is recognised that during a continuing period of significant
change further steps can and will be taken to embed risk
assessment and internal control further into the Group’s
operations and to deal with areas for improvement which
come to management’s and the Board’s attention.

Compliance with the Combined Code
The directors confirm that for the year ended 31 March 2001
the Group complied with all the Code provisions.

Accountability and audit
Responsibility for risk and internal control
The Group’s overriding corporate objective is to maximise
long-term shareholder value whilst exceeding the needs of our
customers, employees and partners. In doing so, the directors
recognise that creating value is the reward for taking and
accepting risk.

The Board has overall responsibility for the Group’s approach

to assessing risk and the systems of internal control, and for
monitoring their effectiveness in providing shareholders with a
return that is consistent with a responsible assessment and
mitigation of risks. This includes reviewing financial, operational
and compliance controls and risk management procedures.
The role of executive management is to implement the Board’s
policies on risk and control and present assurance on
compliance with these policies. Further independent assurance
is provided by an internal audit function, which operates across
the Group, and the external auditors. All employees are
accountable for operating within these policies. 

Because of the limitations that are inherent in any system of
internal control, this system is designed to manage, rather than
eliminate, the risk of failure to achieve corporate objectives.
Accordingly, it can only provide reasonable but not absolute
assurance against material misstatement or loss.

Risk assessment
The Board has established an ongoing process for identifying,
evaluating and managing the significant risks faced by the
Group. As an integral part of planning and review, management
from each business area and major project identify their risks,
the probability of those risks occurring, the impact if they do
occur and the actions being taken to manage those risks to the
desired level. This information is communicated upwards on a
filter basis, culminating in a comparison with the Group’s risks
and discussion of the Group Risk Profile by the Board.

This process has operated during the year under review and

up to the date of approval of the annual report and accounts.
It has been reviewed by the Board and accords with the Internal
Control Guidance for Directors on the Combined Code
produced by the Turnbull Working Party.

Internal control
Whilst the Board maintains full control and direction over
appropriate strategic, financial, organisational and compliance
issues, it has delegated to executive management the
implementation of the systems of internal control within an
established framework.

The Board has put in place an organisational structure
with formally defined lines of responsibility and delegation of
authority. There are also established procedures for planning,
capital expenditure, information and reporting systems, and for
monitoring the Group’s businesses and their performances.
These include:
• appointment of employees of the necessary calibre to fulfil

their allotted responsibilities;

• review by operating divisions of their annual and three year
operating and capital plans with the relevant executive
directors prior to submission to the Board for approval. This
includes the identification and assessment of risks;

• regular consideration by the Board of year end forecasts;
• monthly comparison of operating divisions’ actual financial

performance with budget;

• clearly defined capital investment control guidelines;
• operating policies and procedures;
• regular reporting of accounting and legal developments to

the Board.

10 Marks and Spencer p.l.c.

Remuneration report

Strategy
Marks & Spencer operates in a competitive trading environment
and it is an essential part of our strategy to attract, motivate and
retain the highest achievers who are able to deliver the business
objectives. The level of remuneration and benefits we offer is
key to supporting this objective and maintaining our market
position as an employer of choice. 

The Company sets out to provide competitive salaries and
benefits for all its employees, consistent with business strategy
and performance.

The Board has adopted the principles of good governance
relating to directors’ remuneration as set out in the Combined
Code. The Remuneration Report follows the provisions in
Schedule B to the Code.

Remuneration Committee
The Remuneration Committee comprises Dame Stella Rimington
(Chairman), Brian Baldock, Tony Ball (appointed 1 September
2000), Kevin Lomax (appointed 1 September 2000),
Sir Michael Perry and Sir Ralph Robins. Sir Martin Jacomb
retired as a non-executive director on 19 July 2000.

It recommends to the Board the reward framework to

allow the Company to attract and retain its executive directors
and senior management, giving due regard to the financial
and commercial health of the Company.

The Committee’s approach reflects the Company’s overall
philosophy that all employees should be appropriately rewarded.
The Committee keeps itself fully informed of all relevant
developments and best practice in the field of remuneration.

Remuneration policy
The Company aims to align the interests of all employees
as closely as possible with the interests of shareholders in
promoting the Company’s recovery.

Total remuneration comprises fixed pay, variable pay and
benefits. The performance-related element forms a significant
proportion of the total package and, consistent with the focus
on delivering results, is set against agreed targets to deliver
improved business performance. There are two components
to variable pay: annual bonus and long-term incentives in
the form of share schemes. 

Profit sharing and SAYE schemes, encouraging employees at

all levels to acquire and hold shares in the Company, are key
elements of the policy. Employees have maintained their strong
commitment to share ownership in recent years, and currently
over 43,000 employees hold approximately 33 million shares
in their own right and 32,000 employees hold options on
80 million shares under the SAYE scheme.

Salary and benefits
Salary and benefits are competitive and are reviewed annually.
In making recommendations on the framework for retaining and
rewarding senior management, the Remuneration Committee
reviews the total reward package, making use of internally and
externally published surveys of retailers and other comparable
companies. Where necessary, specific work is commissioned to
supplement published information.

The salaries of the Chairman and other senior management

are set by the Remuneration Committee annually after
consideration of the Company performance, market conditions,
the level of increase awarded to employees throughout the
business and the need to reward individual performance. With
the exception of his personal remuneration, the Chairman assists
the Committee in this review.

In order to deliver the reward strategy, the Company

underwent a major benchmarking exercise for all management,
including a specific review of executive directors. Alan McWalter

was the only current executive director to be awarded an
increase in the year under review.

Annual Bonus Scheme
The Annual Bonus Scheme for executive directors and divisional
directors, introduced in 1988, was extended in 1995 to
executives. Last year, bonus schemes were introduced for all levels
of management. These are designed to reinforce the relationship
between individual and corporate performance and reward.
Bonus payments are based on measurable achievement

of challenging financial and business targets, set in the
annual operating plan approved by the Board.

For executive directors and divisional directors, potential
awards can be made up to a maximum of 60% of a participant’s
salary and for executives, up to a maximum of 40%. Upper
levels of bonus awards can only be made where targets have
been significantly exceeded. Bonus payments for other
management levels operate on a variable scale, based on the
level of influence and accountability the employee has on
the Company’s performance. Potential awards range up to a
maximum of 20% when targets are exceeded. Bonus payments
do not form part of pensionable salary and are not eligible for
profit sharing.

No bonus was earned by management under the schemes
in the year under review due to Company performance being
below set targets.

The Company does not have a long-term bonus scheme.

Chairman’s bonus
Under the terms of Luc Vandevelde’s service contract, on
recruitment, the Company set strategic and qualitative targets
for the award of his first annual bonus. However, in advance of
the Remuneration Committee meeting to determine any bonus
award, he informed the Committee that he wished to:
• waive any entitlement to a bonus for the year under review.
This included 100% of 13 months’ salary totalling £704,000
and an opportunity to enhance this, over time, by a further
£112,000;

• reduce his notice period entitlement from 12 months to

nine months.

The Committee has since confirmed that the 2000/2001 bonus
targets were achieved.

The Remuneration Committee has now met and agreed the

following in relation to Luc Vandevelde’s bonus for the year
ending March 2002:
• add to his bonus potential a sum equal to half of this year’s
waived bonus (£352,000), set against the same financial
performance targets as those for other senior management;
• issue shares to him in May 2002, equal to the value of the

other half of the waived bonus (£352,000).

Executive Share Option Scheme
Executive Share Option Schemes, open to all senior management,
have operated for over 20 years. In order to provide more flexibility
and a closer link with Company performance, the ‘2000 Scheme’
was approved by shareholders at the AGM in July 2000. Details
of the Scheme are given in section 6 of this report.

Senior management restructure
As part of the process of restructure, directors Clara Freeman,
Guy McCracken, Peter Salsbury, Roger Aldridge and Joe Rowe
left the business and Barry Morris stepped down from the Board.
With the introduction of service contracts and the withdrawal of
the Early Retirement Plan from April 2000, individuals leaving
the Company did so under the terms of their 12 months’
service contract.

www.marksandspencer.com 11

New directors
During the year, Roger Holmes was recruited to the Company as Managing Director, UK Retail. Further details of the terms of his
appointment are given in section 2 of this report. David Norgrove, an existing member of senior management, was appointed to the
Board as an executive director.

Service contracts
All members of senior management have service contracts. These contracts can be terminated with 12 months’ notice from the
Company. Exceptions may exist where new recruits have been granted longer notice periods for the initial period of their employment.
Luc Vandevelde, Roger Holmes and Alan McWalter were initially appointed with service contracts entitling them to two years’ notice,
reducing proportionately to one year during the first 12 months of their appointment. Luc Vandevelde’s contract now entitles him to
nine months’ notice.

Non-executive directors do not have service contracts.

Non-executive directors
The Chairman, together with the executive directors, determines the remuneration of non-executive directors. Non-executive
directors do not participate in the Company’s profit sharing, SAYE, Executive Share Option or annual bonus schemes.

No increase in fees was made in the year under review. Non-executive directors’ fees were reinstated to Brian Baldock when

responsibilities following his tenure as Chairman were fully relinquished (see section 1, footnote 4).

1 Directors’ emoluments

Chairman and Chief Executive
Luc Vandevelde1,10

Executive directors (appointed from)
Robert Colvill
Roger Holmes2,9 (1 January 2001)
Alan McWalter9 (1 January 2000)
David Norgrove3 (18 September 2000)

Non-executive directors (appointed from)
Brian Baldock4
Tony Ball5 (1 September 2000)
Kevin Lomax5 (1 September 2000)
Sir Michael Perry 
Dame Stella Rimington
Sir Ralph Robins
Sir David Sieff

Retired directors (with effect from)
Clara Freeman6 (18 September 2000)
Guy McCracken6 (18 September 2000)
Peter Salsbury6 (18 September 2000)
Roger Aldridge6 (19 July 2000)
Sir Martin Jacomb (19 July 2000)
Barry Morris7 (19 July 2000)
Joe Rowe6 (19 July 2000)

Former directors
Total former directors

Total

Salary
£000

650

385
124
289
129

81
20
20
34
50
34
34

155
254
372
133
11
79
142

n/a

2,996

Profit
share8
£000

Benefits9
£000

Total
2001
£000

Total
2000
£000

n/a

7
n/a
n/a
2

n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a

n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
1
n/a

n/a

10

184

23
672
41
12

–
–
–
–
–
–
5

10
11
12
10
–
6
6

834

2,070

415
796
330
143

81
20
20
34
50
34
39

165
265
384
143
11
86
148

402
n/a
154
n/a

178
n/a
n/a
34
46
34
45

270
419
593
313
34
242
318

n/a

992

n/a

3,998

1,382

6,534

1Luc Vandevelde was the highest paid director both this year and last. His emoluments this year are £834,000. He was appointed to the Board on 28 February 2000
and his emoluments last year of £2,070,000 included compensation for loss of future benefits from his previous employer in the form of ‘restricted shares’ at a
cost of £1,997,000.
2Roger Holmes was appointed to the Board on 1 January 2001. Included within his benefits is compensation for loss of future benefits and bonus from his
previous employer in the form of ‘restricted shares’ at a cost of £554,000 and a payment of £100,000 (see section 2 – Recruitment of directors).
3David Norgrove was appointed to the Board on 18 September 2000 on a salary of £240,000 p.a.
4Brian Baldock relinquished the role of Non-Executive Chairman on 28 February 2000 but continued to assist the Chairman in the transition period to the AGM
in July 2000 after which his fee was reduced to £34,000 p.a.
5Tony Ball and Kevin Lomax were appointed as non-executive directors on a fee of £34,000 p.a.
6As a consequence of leaving the Company, Clara Freeman, Guy McCracken, Peter Salsbury, Roger Aldridge and Joe Rowe received payments in accordance
with the terms of their service contracts, which are shown separately in section 3 of this report. Included in their salaries in the above table are contractual
non-pensionable payments in lieu of holiday entitlement.
7Barry Morris relinquished responsibility as Executive Director, Womenswear on 19 July 2000 and his emoluments to that date are shown in the table.
On stepping down from the Board, he remained as Business Unit Director, Womenswear on a salary of £250,000 p.a. His salary and benefits are in accordance
with the remuneration policy for senior management. His retirement from the Company has subsequently been announced with effect from 30 June 2001.
8In line with all other employees, executive directors are allocated a profit share based on a percentage of their earnings following the qualifying period.
Further information on profit share is given in note 10c of the financial statements.
9Benefits for UK directors relate mainly to the provision of cars, fuel and travel. In addition, a payment is made to both Alan McWalter and Roger Holmes in
respect of pension in the form of a supplement of 10% of the difference between the pension earnings cap and their base salary (see section 4 – Pensions).

10Included in the benefits for Luc Vandevelde is a supplement of 16% of base salary to compensate for the fact that he is not a member of the Company

Pension Scheme. In addition, under the terms of his service contact, the Company has agreed to provide accommodation on which he is assessed for tax.

12 Marks and Spencer p.l.c.

Remuneration report

2 Recruitment of directors
During the year, Roger Holmes was recruited and appointed to the Board as Managing Director, UK Retail. In order to secure early
release from his previous employer, he was recruited as an employee from 15 December to 31 December 2000, with salary and
benefits totalling £22,000 for this period (included within section 1). He was appointed as a director on 1 January 2001 on the
following terms:
• salary of £425,000 p.a.;
• payment of £100,000 as compensation for loss of bonus from his previous employer (included within benefits in section 1);
• compensation for loss of future benefits from his previous employer in the form of 282,326 ‘restricted shares’ purchased on
his behalf at a cost of £554,000. He is the beneficial owner of the shares but they will not be transferred to him until the
3rd anniversary of employment (included within benefits in section 1);

• interest free loan of £501,000 for a period of 17 days to facilitate the exercise of share options from his previous employer and

avoid further compensation payments under the terms of his engagement. This was repaid in full prior to taking up his
appointment to the Board on 1 January 2001 (see note 11 – Transactions with directors);

• supplement of 10% of the difference between the pension earnings cap and his base salary (see section 4 – Pensions) (included

within benefits in section 1);

• award of shares under 2000 Executive Share Option Scheme with a market value at the date of employment of four times base

salary (see section 6 – Long-term benefits).

3 Termination payments
Compensation for termination under directors’ service contracts includes 12 months’ salary and benefits and loss of pensionable
service as shown below.

Should a senior management bonus be payable for the financial year ending 31 March 2002, a pro-rata payment will be made

and shown in next year’s Annual Report.

Retired directors (with effect from)
Clara Freeman1 (18 September 2000)
Guy McCracken3 (18 September 2000)
Peter Salsbury2 (18 September 2000)
Roger Aldridge (19 July 2000)
Barry Morris (19 July 2000)
Joe Rowe3 (19 July 2000)

Total

Salary
£000

Benefits
£000

Cost of
pension
entitlement4
£000

260
390
560
290
n/a
290

30
30
49
30
3
27

47
287
n/a
230
n/a
219

Total
2001
£000

337
707
609
550
3
536

1,790

169

783

2,742

1Clara Freeman is not of pensionable age and does not currently draw a pension. As a result of legislative restrictions, the value of her pension contribution
does not reflect a full additional year.
2Peter Salsbury received no additional pension contribution as maximum pension entitlement had been reached.
3Guy McCracken chose not to receive his termination payment in cash, but requested the Company to pay an identical sum into the Pension Scheme, in order
to enhance his pension. Similarly, Joe Rowe chose to have £200,000 paid into the Pension Scheme and received the balance in cash. These enhancements
have not been included within the pension table in section 4 of this report as they have been funded by the individuals.
4The pension entitlement was paid directly into the Pension Scheme and is reflected in the pension table (see section 4, footnote 5).

4 Directors’ pension information
The executive directors, management and employees (except for staff employed by Marks & Spencer Outlet Ltd) all participate in the
Company’s defined benefit Pension Scheme. The Scheme is non-contributory, fully funded and the subject of an Independent Trust.
The normal retirement age under the Pension Scheme for senior management is 60 to harmonise with the Company contractual
retirement age. For all other employees the normal retirement age is 65 (previously 60) but for those employees who joined the
Scheme prior to 1 January 1996 their accrued rights were not affected by this change.

The Pension Scheme enables members to achieve the maximum pension of two-thirds of their salary in the twelve months

ending at normal retirement date after 30 years’ service. For employees (including senior management) who joined the Scheme prior
to 1 January 1996 no actuarial reduction is applied to pensions payable from the age of 58. Employees who joined the Scheme on
or after 1 January 1996 are subject to an actuarial reduction in their pension if payment starts prior to their normal retirement date. 
In the case of earnings over £100,000 pa, the pensionable salary is usually based on an average of the earnings over the last

three years to retirement.

Pension commutation to enable participants to receive a lump sum on retirement is permitted within Inland Revenue limits.
For death before retirement, a capital sum equal to four times salary is payable, together with a spouse’s pension of two-thirds of

the member’s prospective pension at the age of 65 (60 for senior management). For death in retirement, a spouse’s pension is paid
equal to two-thirds of the member’s current pension. In the event of death after leaving service but prior to commencement of
pension, a spouse’s pension of two-thirds of the accrued preserved pension is payable. In all circumstances, children’s allowances
are also payable, usually up to the age of 16. Substantial protection is also offered in the event of serious ill health.

www.marksandspencer.com 13

4 Directors’ pension information (continued)
Post-retirement increases for pension earned from 6 April 1997 are awarded on a statutory basis. For pension earned prior to 6 April
1997 it was the Company’s practice to award discretionary increases, usually in line with inflation. With effect from 26 July 2000, it was
agreed that, in future, all pension earned for service prior to 6 April 1997 would be guaranteed to increase by the rise in inflation, up to
a maximum of 3% per annum. Increases beyond this figure will continue to be reviewed on a discretionary basis.

Luc Vandevelde3
Robert Colvill
Roger Holmes4
Alan McWalter4
David Norgrove7

Retired directors
Clara Freeman
Guy McCracken5
Peter Salsbury5,6
Roger Aldridge5,6
Barry Morris8
Joe Rowe5

Age at
31 March
2001

50
60
41
47
53

48
52
51
54
53
53

Increase in

Increase in
transfer value pension earned
Years of
in excess of
in excess of 
service at
inflation1
inflation1
31 March
during the
during the
2001
or date of
year ended
year ended
retirement 31 March 2001 31 March 2001
£000

£000

Accrued
entitlement
at
31 March 
20012
£000

Accrued
entitlement
at
31 March
2000
£000

–
16
n/a
1
13

25
25
30
27
30
25

–
480
8
23
360

(3)
2,047
2,519
1,129
36
1,398

–
25
1
2
25

–
3
(27)
(2)
2
10

–
140
1
3
71

122
213
270
162
85
160

–
109
n/a
1
n/a

120
207
292
162
82
148

1Inflation has been assumed to be equivalent to the actual rate of price inflation which was 3.3% for the year to 30 September 2000. This measurement date
accords with the Listing Rules.
2The pension entitlement shown above is that which would be paid on retirement based on service to 31 March 2001 or date of retirement if earlier.
3Luc Vandevelde does not participate in the Company Pension Scheme (see section 1, footnote 10).
4Roger Holmes and Alan McWalter joined the scheme on 1 January 2001 and 1 January 2000 respectively. They are both, therefore, subject to the pension
earnings ‘cap’ (£91,800 at 31 March 2001) which is reviewed annually by the Government. Their pensions are based on a uniform accrual of two-thirds of that
‘cap’ less the pension which they have accrued from membership of previous employers’ pension schemes (see section 1, footnote 9).
5The greater part of the actuarial increase in transfer value in respect of these directors relates to the effect, on the year, of their full pension being paid
immediately (following retirement) and/or the contractual requirement for their pension to be calculated as though their service had ceased one year later
than their actual retirement date.
6The accrued entitlement for Roger Aldridge has not increased and for Peter Salsbury has fallen during the year. This reflects the fact that the reduction factor
due to their early retirement offsets any increase in pension for service completed during the year.
7Pension figures are from 18 September 2000 when David Norgrove was appointed director.
8Pension figures are to 19 July 2000 when Barry Morris ceased to be a director.
9The pension entitlement shown excludes any additional pension purchased by the member’s Additional Voluntary Contributions and also the enhancements
made by Guy McCracken and Joe Rowe detailed in section 3, footnote 3 of this report.

5 Payments to former directors
Details of payments made under the Early Retirement Plan and other payments made to former directors during the year are:

Early retirement pensions1
James Benfield
Lord Stone of Blackheath
Derek Hayes
Chris Littmoden
Paul Smith
Keith Oates2

Unfunded pensions3
Lord Sieff of Brimpton4
Clinton Silver

Date of
retirement

Payable until

Paid in
year
£000

Paid in
2000
£000

31 December 1999
31 December 1999
31 May 1999
31 May 1999
31 March 1999
31 January 1999

22 April 2009
7 September 2002
19 November 2008
28 September 2003
20 December 2000
3 July 2002

30 September 1985
31 July 1994

Death
Death

68
91
63
85
49
170

61
86

17
23
52
70
65
197

65
84

1Under the Early Retirement Plan the Remuneration Committee could, at its discretion, offer an unfunded Early Retirement Pension, separate from the
Company pension, which was payable from the date of retirement to age 60. With effect from 31 March 2000, the Early Retirement Plan was withdrawn but
payments continue for awards made before this date.
2The payment to Keith Oates for the year 2000 covered 14 months from the date of his retirement to 31 March 2000.
3The pension scheme entitlement for Lord Sieff and Clinton Silver is supplemented by an additional, unfunded pension paid by the Company.
4Payments to Lord Sieff ceased following his death on 23 February 2001.

14 Marks and Spencer p.l.c.

Remuneration report

6 Long-term benefits
The Company operates two types of share option schemes:
(i) a Save As You Earn (SAYE) Share Option Scheme approved by shareholders in 1981 and renewed by shareholders in 1987 and 1997. 
The Scheme is open to all UK employees, including executive directors, who have completed one year’s service and who open
an approved savings contract. Inland Revenue rules limit the maximum amount which can be saved to £250 per month. When
the savings contract is started, options are granted to acquire the number of shares that the total savings will buy when the
savings contract matures; options cannot normally be exercised until a minimum of three years has elapsed. 

(ii) an Executive Share Option Scheme, approved by shareholders in 2000, which is open to all senior management. The Company
has operated this type of scheme for over 20 years, following shareholder approval for the first scheme in 1977 and subsequent
schemes in 1984, 1987 and 1997.

The 2000 Scheme is an annual grant scheme, with a maximum annual award of 150% of base salary, except for grants made in
2000 when, to launch the scheme, the limit was 200% of base salary. The Remuneration Committee has imposed performance
criteria for the exercise of all options granted since 1996. The performance targets for the 2000 Scheme are:
• earnings per share growth of at least inflation plus an average of 3% per annum for 50% of each grant, measured from a fixed

base of 14.5p; and

• earnings per share growth of inflation plus an average of 4% per annum for the other 50% of each grant, measured from a fixed

base of 16.5p.

Participants who hold options under the 1984 and 1987 Schemes will continue to be bound by their Maximum Option Value
(MOV) of four times earnings, and may only exercise options up to this value, after which any outstanding options lapse. Following
the introduction of the 2000 Scheme, the Remuneration Committee has decided that MOV will no longer increase with earnings.

Since the 1996 Finance Act, grants of Inland Revenue Approved Options have been limited to £30,000. Grants in excess of this

limit, under the 2000 Scheme, will be unapproved options, which confer no tax advantage on the participants.

At the discretion of the Remuneration Committee, retiring directors can take their options for all schemes into retirement.
Options held under the 1984 and 1987 Schemes continue to be bound by their MOV and can be exercised subject to the option
period. For options held under the 1997 and 2000 Schemes, options lapse if not exercised within 12 months of retirement.

Directors’ long-term benefits
The options detailed in the table below may not be exercisable for any one of the following reasons:
(i)
(ii) the options have not been held for three years and therefore cannot be exercised under scheme rules
(iii)the options have not met the appropriate performance criteria.

their value is in excess of the MOV

No director exercised Executive Share Options or SAYE contracts in the year under review.
The market price of the shares at the end of the financial year was 266.0p; the highest and lowest share prices during the

financial year were 280.5p and 170.0p respectively.

Luc Vandevelde

Not exercisable

Robert Colvill
Exercisable
Not exercisable 
Lapsed
SAYE
SAYE lapsed

Roger Holmes

Not exercisable 

Alan McWalter

Not exercisable 

David Norgrove
Exercisable
Not exercisable 
Granted
SAYE
SAYE granted

At 1 April
2000
or date of
appointment

3,984,674

213,751
128,333
–
2,087
–

Granted

Exercised/
during lapsed during
the year

the year

At 31 March
2001
or date of
retirement

Option
price
(pence)

Exercise
price
(pence)

Option period

–

–
–
–
–
–

– 3,984,674

261.0

Mar 2003 – Mar 2010

–
–
16,422
–
2,087

–

–

–
–
–
–
–

211,158
114,504

325.01
457.01

May 1994 – May 2005
May 1998 – May 2005

–

871,794

195.0

Dec 2003 – Dec 2010

721,310

305.0

Jan 2003 – Jan 2010

80,480
402,819
–
11,085
–

420.01
337.01
215.0
263.01
156.0

May 1994 – June 2005
May 1999 – Sept 2010
Sept 2003 – Sept 2010
Jan 2002 – June 2004

–

871,794

721,310

–

80,480
179,565
–
8,602
–

–
–
223,254
–
2,483

www.marksandspencer.com 15

At 31 March
2001
or date of
retirement

Option
price
(pence)

Exercise
price
(pence)

Option period

Granted

Exercised/
during lapsed during
the year

the year

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–

–
–
7,038
–

–
–
12,903
–

–
–
12,903
–

–
–
19,941
–
1,653

–
–
14,076
–

–
–
32,844
–
1,071

106,051
226,203

377.01
491.01

May 1995 – May 2005
May 1998 – May 2005

4,728

374.01

Sept 2000 – Mar 2001

44,603
507,839

353.01
476.01

May 1995 – May 2004
May 1997 – May 2005

6,815

336.01

Sept 2000 – Mar 2001

349,620
716,911

360.01
420.01

May 1994 – May 2005
May 1998 – May 2005

5,550

351.01

Sept 2000 – Mar 2001

165,369
349,267

304.01
486.01

May 1994 – May 2004
May 1997 – May 2005

5,262

371.01

July 2000 – Jan 2001

77,976
261,569

367.01
427.01

May 1995 – May 2004
May 1997 – June 2009

4,601

375.01

Jan 2001 – June 2003

107,637
334,869

349.01
473.01

May 1995 – May 2004
May 1997 – May 2005

3,705

372.01

July 2000 – Jan 2001

6 Long-term benefits (continued)

Retired directors
Clara Freeman2
Exercisable
Not exercisable 
Lapsed
SAYE

Guy McCracken2
Exercisable
Not exercisable 
Lapsed
SAYE

Peter Salsbury2
Exercisable
Not exercisable 
Lapsed
SAYE

Roger Aldridge2
Exercisable
Not exercisable 
Lapsed
SAYE
SAYE lapsed

Barry Morris3

Exercisable
Not exercisable 
Lapsed
SAYE

Joe Rowe2

Exercisable
Not exercisable 
Lapsed
SAYE
SAYE lapsed

At 1 April
2000
or date of
appointment

107,292
232,000
–
4,728

46,386
518,959
–
6,815

351,895
727,539
–
5,550

168,478
366,099
–
6,915
–

49,736
303,885
–
4,601

111,524
363,826
–
4,776
–

1Weighted average price.
2Options are carried into retirement under the terms of the various schemes (see page 14). All SAYE options lapsed six months after date of retirement.
3Options are to 19 July 2000 when Barry Morris ceased to be a director.

16 Marks and Spencer p.l.c.

Directors’ interests

Directors’ interests in shares
The beneficial interests of the directors and their families in
the shares of the Company, together with their interests as
trustees of both charitable and other trusts, are shown below
in sections (i) and (ii). These include shares held under the
Delayed Profit Sharing Scheme. Options granted under the
Save As You Earn (SAYE) Share Option and Executive Share
Option Schemes are shown on page 30. Further information
regarding employee share option schemes is given in note 10D.

There has been no change in the directors’ interests in
shares or options granted by the Company and its subsidiaries
between the end of the financial year and one month prior
to the notice of the Annual General Meeting. The Register of
Directors’ Interests (which is open to shareholders’ inspection)
contains full details of directors’ shareholdings and options
to subscribe for shares. No director had any interest in any
subsidiary at the beginning or end of the year.

(i) Ordinary shares in the Company – beneficial and family interests

Luc Vandevelde

Robert Colvill

Roger Holmes

Alan McWalter

David Norgrove

Brian Baldock

At 31 March
2001

808,080

59,010

285,456

12,000

18,098

70,000

At 1 April 2000
or date of
appointment

808,080

Tony Ball

53,228

Kevin Lomax

285,456

Sir Michael Perry

12,000

Dame Stella Rimington

18,098

Sir Ralph Robins

70,000

Sir David Sieff

At 31 March
2001

2,000

20,000

8,357

3,344

2,724

At 1 April 2000
or date of
appointment

–

–

8,357

3,209

2,613

304,444

306,381

(ii) Ordinary shares in the Company – trustee interests

Sir David Sieff

Directors’ responsibilities

At 31 March 2001
Other
trusts’
shares

Charitable
trusts’
shares

Charitable
trusts’
shares

At 1 April 2000
Other
trusts’
shares

22,000

48,214

22,000

45,951

Directors’ responsibilities for preparing the financial statements
The directors are obliged under company law to prepare
financial statements for each financial year and to
present them annually to the Company’s members in
Annual General Meeting.

accounting policies and their consistent use in the financial
statements, supported where necessary by reasonable and
prudent judgements.

The directors confirm that the above requirements have

The financial statements, of which the form and content

been complied with in the financial statements.

is prescribed by the Companies Act 1985 and applicable
accounting standards, must give a true and fair view of the
state of affairs of the Company and the Group at the end of
the financial year, and of the profit for that period.

The directors are also responsible for the adoption of suitable 

In addition, the directors are responsible for maintaining
adequate accounting records and sufficient internal controls
to safeguard the assets of the Group and to prevent and detect
fraud or any other irregularities, as described more fully on
pages 8 and 9.

Auditors’ report

Auditors’ report to the members of 
Marks and Spencer p.l.c.
We have audited the financial statements on pages 20 to 42.

Respective responsibilities of directors and auditors
The directors are responsible for preparing the Annual Report.
As described on page 16, this includes responsibility for
preparing the financial statements, in accordance with
applicable United Kingdom accounting standards. Our
responsibilities, as independent auditors, are established in the
United Kingdom by statute, the Auditing Practices Board, the
Listing Rules of the Financial Services Authority and our
profession’s ethical guidance.

We report to you our opinion as to whether the financial
statements give a true and fair view and are properly prepared
in accordance with the United Kingdom Companies Act.
We also report to you if, in our opinion, the directors’ report is
not consistent with the financial statements, if the Company has
not kept proper accounting records, if we have not received all
the information and explanations we require for our audit, or
if information specified by law or the Listing Rules regarding
directors’ remuneration and transactions is not disclosed.

We read the other information contained in the Annual

Report and consider the implications for our report if we
become aware of any apparent misstatements or material
inconsistencies with the financial statements.

We review whether the statement on pages 8 and 9 reflects

the Company’s compliance with the seven provisions of the
Combined Code specified for our review by the Financial
Services Authority, and we report if it does not.

We are not required to consider whether the Board’s

statements on internal control cover all risks and controls, or to
form an opinion on the effectiveness of the Group’s corporate
governance procedures or its risk and control procedures.

www.marksandspencer.com 17

Basis of audit opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with Auditing
Standards issued by the Auditing Practices Board. An audit
includes examination, on a test basis, of evidence relevant
to the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.
It also includes an assessment of the significant estimates and
judgements made by the directors in the preparation of the
financial statements, and of whether the accounting policies
are appropriate to the Company’s circumstances, consistently
applied and adequately disclosed.

We planned and performed our audit so as to obtain all the
information and explanations which we considered necessary in
order to provide us with sufficient evidence to give reasonable
assurance that the financial statements are free from material
misstatement, whether caused by fraud or other irregularity or
error. In forming our opinion we also evaluated the overall
adequacy of the presentation of information in the financial
statements.

Opinion
In our opinion the financial statements give a true and fair
view of the state of affairs of the Company and the Group at
31 March 2001 and of the result and cash flows of the Group
for the year then ended and have been properly prepared in
accordance with the Companies Act 1985.

PricewaterhouseCoopers
Chartered Accountants and Registered Auditors
London
21 May 2001

18 Marks and Spencer p.l.c.

Directors’ report

Principal activities
The principal activities of the Group are Retailing and Financial
Services. 

Retailing consists of the Group’s retail activities under the

Marks & Spencer, Brooks Brothers and Kings Super Markets
brand names.

Financial Services consists of the operations of the Group’s
retail Financial Services companies, which provide account cards,
personal loans, unit trust management, life assurance, personal
insurance and pensions. The Group’s captive insurance company
is also included in this segment as the major part of its business is
generated from the provision of related insurance services.

Review of activities and future performance
A review of the Group’s activities and of the future development
of the Group is contained within the Annual Review and
Summary Financial Statement.

Profit and dividends
The profit for the financial year, after taxation and minority
interests, amounts to £1.3m. The directors have declared
dividends as follows:

Ordinary shares
Interim paid, 3.7p per share (last year 3.7p)
Proposed final, 5.3p per share (last year 5.3p)

£m

106.3
152.0

Total ordinary dividends, 9.0p per share (last year 9.0p)

258.3

The final dividend will be paid on 20 July 2001 to shareholders
whose names are on the Register of Members at the close of
business on 1 June 2001.

Share capital
(i) Issue of new shares
During the year ended 31 March 2001, 3,415,705 ordinary
shares in the Company were issued as follows:
• 8,464 under the terms of the 1984 Executive Share Option

Scheme at a price of 206p;

• 141,393 under the terms of the 2000 Executive Share Option

Scheme at a price of 215p; and

• 3,265,848 issued into the Qualifying Employee Share

Ownership Trust at prices between 188.75p and 208p of
which 208,913 were issued under the terms of the United
Kingdom Employees’ Save As You Earn Share Option Scheme.

(ii) Purchase of own shares
The Company is authorised by the shareholders to purchase,
in the market, the Company’s own shares, as permitted under
the Company’s Articles of Association. During the year the
Company purchased a total of 10,619,272 of its shares for
cancellation at a cost of £20.3m, representing 0.4% of its
issued share capital. This authority is renewable annually and
approval will be sought from shareholders at the AGM in 2001
to renew the authority for a further year.

Major shareholders
As at 6 May 2001, the Company’s share register of substantial
shareholdings showed the following interests in 3% or more of
the Company’s shares:

Brandes Investment Partners, L.P.

280,099,575

Franklin Resources, Inc.

149,551,189

Ordinary
shares

% share 
capital

9.76%

5.21%

In addition, JP Morgan has notified us that it is holding
146,907,108 ordinary shares (5.12%) as American Depositary
Receipts, 138,786,084 of which are included in the above
figures for Brandes Investment Partners and Franklin Resources.

Directors and their interests
The current directors are listed on page 20 of the Annual
Review and Summary Financial Statement.

David Norgrove and Roger Holmes were appointed

executive directors on 18 September 2000 and 1 January 2001
respectively.

Tony Ball and Kevin Lomax were appointed non-executive

directors on 1 September 2000.

Roger Aldridge, Sir Martin Jacomb, Barry Morris and Joe

Rowe resigned from the Board on 19 July 2000.

Clara Freeman, Guy McCracken and Peter Salsbury resigned

from the Board on 18 September 2000.

Alison Reed will be appointed to the Board as Finance
Director and Sir Michael Perry, Sir Ralph Robins and Sir David
Sieff will be retiring from the Board on 11 July 2001.

The beneficial interests of the directors and their families in

the shares of the Company and its subsidiaries, together with
their interests as trustees of both charitable and other trusts,
are given on page 16.

Employee involvement
We have maintained our commitment to employee involvement
throughout the business.

Employees are kept well informed of the performance and

objectives of the Group through personal briefings, regular
meetings and e-mail. These are supplemented by our employee
publication, On Your Marks, and video presentations. ‘Focus
teams’ in stores, distribution centres and head office provide
opportunities for employee representatives to contribute to the
everyday running of the business.

In addition, we have recently completed a Company-wide

survey to gather employee views on improving the forums
through which we consult with our staff on business and local
issues.

The sixth meeting of the European Council took place last

July. This council provides an additional forum for
communicating with employee representatives from the
countries in which we trade in the European Community.

Directors and senior management regularly visit stores and
discuss, with employees, matters of current interest and concern
to the business. 

We have long-established Employees’ Profit Sharing and
Save As You Earn Share Option Schemes, membership of which
is service-related, details of which are given on page 29.

Equal opportunities
The Group is committed to an active Equal Opportunities
Policy from recruitment and selection, through training and
development, appraisal and promotion to retirement.

It is our policy to promote an environment free from

discrimination, harassment and victimisation, where everyone
will receive equal treatment regardless of gender, colour,
ethnic or national origin, disability, age, marital status, sexual
orientation or religion. All decisions relating to employment
practices will be objective, free from bias and based solely
upon work criteria and individual merit.

The Group is responsive to the needs of its employees,

customers and the community at large and we are an
organisation that uses everyone’s talents and abilities to the full.

www.marksandspencer.com 19

Employees with disabilities
It is our policy that people with disabilities should have full
and fair consideration for all vacancies. During the year we
continued to use the Government’s ‘two tick’ disability symbol
to demonstrate our commitment to interviewing those people
with disabilities who fulfil the minimum criteria, and
endeavouring to retain employees in the workforce if they
become disabled during employment. We will actively retrain
and adjust their environment where possible to allow them to
maximise their potential.

We continue to work with external organisations to provide

work place opportunities on our ‘Workstep Programme’.

Creditor payment policy
The Company’s policy concerning the payment of its trade
creditors is as follows:
• General merchandise is automatically paid for 11 working

days from the end of the week of delivery;

• Foods are paid for 13 working days from the end of the week
of delivery (based on the timely receipt of an accurate invoice);
and

• Distribution suppliers are paid monthly, for costs incurred
in that month, based on estimates, and payments are
adjusted quarterly to reflect any variations to estimate.

Trade creditor days of the Company for the year ended
31 March 2001 were 14.6 days (10.4 working days), based on
the ratio of Company trade creditors at the end of the year to
the amounts invoiced during the year by trade creditors.

For all trade creditors, it is the Company’s policy to:
• agree the terms of payment at the start of business with

that supplier;

• ensure that suppliers are aware of the terms of payment; and
• pay in accordance with its contractual and other legal

obligations.

Charitable and political contributions
During the year, we spent £7.1m in the UK in support of
the community. Within this figure, direct donations to charitable
organisations amounted to £3.2m. These figures include £1.8m
representing our final sponsorship payment to the Millennium
Experience for our programme of Millennium events and
activities. No contributions were made to any political party.

Annual General Meeting
The Notice of the Annual General Meeting to be held on 11 July
2001 (together with explanatory notes) is given in the booklet
which accompanies this report. The Special Business of the
Meeting includes resolutions to amend existing employee share
schemes.

By order of the Board
Luc Vandevelde, Chairman and Chief Executive
London 
21 May 2001

20 Marks and Spencer p.l.c.

Consolidated profit and loss account

Turnover

Cost of sales

Gross profit
Net operating expenses

Operating profit

Loss on sale of property and other fixed assets
Loss on sale/termination of operations
Provision for loss on operations to be discontinued
Net interest income

Profit on ordinary activities before taxation
Taxation on ordinary activities

Profit on ordinary activities after taxation
Minority interests (all equity)

Profit attributable to shareholders
Dividends

Retained profit/(loss) for the period

Basic earnings per share
Diluted basic earnings per share
Adjusted earnings per share
Diluted adjusted earnings per share
Dividend per share

52 weeks ended 31 March 2001

53 weeks ended 1 April 2000

Before
exceptional
items
£m

Exceptional
items
£m

Notes

–

–

–
(26.5)

(26.5)

(83.2)
(1.7)
(224.0)
–

(335.4)
8.5

(326.9)
–

(326.9)
–

(326.9)

2

8,075.7

(5,237.2)

2,838.5
(2,371.5)

467.0

–
–
–
13.9

480.9
(151.2)

329.7
(1.5)

328.2
(258.3)

69.9

3,4A

2

4B

4C

4D

5

6

7

8

9

9

9

9

8

Exceptional
items
£m

–

–

–
(72.0)

(72.0)

(22.3)
(45.4)
–
–

(139.7)
19.0

(120.7)
–

(120.7)
–

(120.7)

After
exceptional
items
£m

Before
exceptional
items
£m

8,075.7

8,195.5

(5,237.2)

(5,402.8)

2,792.7
(2,249.7)

543.0

–
–
–
14.2

557.2
(177.2)

380.0
(0.6)

379.4
(258.6)

120.8

2,838.5
(2,398.0)

440.5

(83.2)
(1.7)
(224.0)
13.9

145.5
(142.7)

2.8
(1.5)

1.3
(258.3)

(257.0)

0.0p
0.0p
11.4p
11.4p
9.0p

After
exceptional
items
£m

8,195.5

(5,402.8)

2,792.7
(2,321.7)

471.0

(22.3)
(45.4)
–
14.2

417.5
(158.2)

259.3
(0.6)

258.7
(258.6)

0.1

9.0p
9.0p
13.2p
13.2p
9.0p

All results in both the current and preceding financial year are derived from continuing operations.

Note of historical cost profits and losses

Profit on ordinary activities before taxation
Realisation of property revaluation (deficit)/surplus
Revaluation element of depreciation charge

Historical cost profit on ordinary activities 

before taxation

Historical cost retained (loss)/profit for the period

Notes

25

25

52 weeks ended
31 March
2001
£m

145.5
(1.3)
1.9

146.1

(256.4)

Consolidated statement of total recognised gains and losses

Profit attributable to shareholders
Exchange differences on foreign currency translation
Unrealised (deficit)/surplus on revaluation of

investment properties

Notes

25

25

Total recognised gains and losses relating to the period

52 weeks ended
31 March
2001
£m

1.3
13.3

(1.7)

12.9

53 weeks ended
1 April
2000
£m

417.5
74.2
1.9

493.6

76.2

53 weeks ended
1 April
2000
£m

258.7
(16.8)

3.0

244.9

Balance sheets
AT 31 MARCH 2001

Fixed assets
Goodwill
Tangible assets:

Land and buildings
Fit out, fixtures, fittings and equipment
Assets in the course of construction

Investments

Current assets
Stocks
Debtors:

Receivable within one year
Receivable after more than one year

Investments
Cash at bank and in hand

Current liabilities
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

Net current assets

www.marksandspencer.com 21

The Group

The Company

Notes

12

13

14

2001
£m

–

2,735.2
1,291.9
91.8

4,118.9
58.3

2000
£m

1.3

2001
£m

–

2,774.1
1,386.7
81.3

4,242.1
55.0

2,430.4
1,056.2
51.2

3,537.8
445.8

4,177.2

4,298.4

3,983.6

2000
£m

–

2,458.5
1,145.3
44.8

3,648.6
450.4

4,099.0

472.5

474.4

299.7

315.1

15A

15B

16

17

917.2
1,712.1
260.0
154.4

988.3
1,566.9
386.4
301.1

642.7
72.9
–
82.0

795.2
80.3
–
89.8

3,516.2

3,717.1

1,097.3

1,280.4

19

(1,981.6)

(2,162.8)

(729.1)

1,534.6

1,554.3

368.2

(736.0)

544.4

Total assets less current liabilities

5,711.8

5,852.7

4,351.8

4,643.4

Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year
Provisions for liabilities and charges

Net assets

20

22

(735.1)
(315.7)

(804.3)
(126.6)

–
(119.2)

–
(113.0)

4,661.0

4,921.8

4,232.6

4,530.4

Capital and reserves
Called up share capital
Share premium account
Revaluation reserve
Capital redemption reserve
Profit and loss account

Shareholders’ funds (all equity)
Minority interests (all equity)

Total capital employed

Approved by the Board
21 May 2001
Luc Vandevelde, Chairman and Chief Executive
Robert Colvill, Group Finance Director

24,25

25

25

25

25

25

716.9
375.6
455.6
2.6
3,094.7

4,645.4
15.6

718.6
369.4
457.9
–
3,359.4

4,905.3
16.5

716.9
375.6
454.0
2.6
2,683.5

4,232.6
–

4,661.0

4,921.8

4,232.6

718.6
369.4
458.9
–
2,983.5

4,530.4
–

4,530.4

22 Marks and Spencer p.l.c.

Consolidated cash flow information
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2001

Cash flow statement

Operating activities
Received from customers
Payments to suppliers
Payments to and on behalf of employees
Other payments

Cash inflow from operating activities before exceptional items
Exceptional operating cash outflow

Cash inflow from operating activities

Returns on investments and servicing of finance

Taxation

Capital expenditure and financial investment

Acquisitions and disposals

Equity dividends paid

Cash inflow/(outflow) before management of liquid resources and financing

Notes

£m

2001
£m

£m

2000
£m

7,967.8
(5,240.7)
(1,089.8)
(930.6)

7,989.9
(5,357.1)
(1,138.3)
(803.8)

28A

27

28B

28C

28D

28E

706.7
(30.3)

676.4

12.6

(164.6)

(258.2)

5.9

(258.6)

13.5

Management of liquid resources and financing
Management of liquid resources
Financing

Increase in cash

28F

28G

263.7
(265.4)

(162.5)
260.3

(1.7)

11.8

690.7
(49.2)

641.5

15.2

(145.7)

(167.0)

(21.1)

(413.5)

(90.6)

97.8

7.2

2000
£m

7.2
162.5
(250.9)
11.4

2001
£m

11.8
(263.7)
245.9
(20.4)

(26.4)
(1,251.4)

(69.8)
(1,181.6)

(1,277.8)

(1,251.4)

Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net debt (see note 29)

Increase in cash 
Cash (inflow)/outflow from (decrease)/increase in liquid resources
Cash outflow/(inflow) from decrease/(increase) in debt financing
Exchange movements

Movement in net debt
Net debt at 1 April

Net debt at 31 March

Accounting policies

The financial statements are prepared in accordance with
applicable accounting standards in the United Kingdom.
A summary of the more important Group accounting policies,
applied consistently, is given below. 

Basis of accounting
The financial statements are drawn up on the historical cost
basis of accounting, modified to include the valuation of
certain United Kingdom properties at 31 March 1988 and the
valuation of investment properties. Compliance with SSAP19,
‘Accounting for Investment Properties’ requires a departure
from the requirements of the Companies Act 1985 relating to
the depreciation of investment properties as explained below.

Basis of consolidation
The Group financial statements incorporate the financial
statements of Marks and Spencer p.l.c. and all its subsidiaries
for the year ended 31 March 2001.

Current asset investments
Current asset investments are stated at market value. All profits
and losses from such investments are included in net interest
income or in Financial Services turnover as appropriate.

Deferred taxation
Deferred taxation is accounted for at expected tax rates on
differences arising from the inclusion of items of income and
expenditure in taxation computations in periods different from
those in which they are included in the financial statements.
A deferred tax asset or provision is established to the extent
that it is likely that an asset or liability will crystallise in the
foreseeable future.

Fixed assets 
a Capitalised interest
Interest is not capitalised.

b Depreciation
Depreciation is provided to write off the cost or valuation of
tangible fixed assets, less residual value, by equal annual
instalments as follows:

Land: not depreciated.
Freehold and leasehold buildings over 50 years:
depreciated to their estimated residual value over their
estimated remaining economic lives (see also c below).
Leasehold land and buildings under 50 years: over the
remaining period of the lease.
Fit out: 10-25 years according to the estimated life of
the asset.
Fixtures, fittings and equipment: 3-15 years according to
the estimated life of the asset.

Depreciation is charged on all additions to or disposals of
depreciating assets in the year of purchase or disposal.

Any impairment in value is charged to the revaluation

reserve or the profit and loss account as appropriate.

c Land and buildings
The Company’s freehold and leasehold properties in the
United Kingdom were valued on the basis of open market
value for existing use in 1982. At 31 March 1988, those same
properties (excluding subsequent additions and adjusted for
disposals) were revalued. On adoption of FRS15, the Group
followed the transitional provisions to retain the book value
of land and buildings which were revalued in 1988, but not
to adopt a policy of revaluation in the future.

These values are retained subject to the requirement to

test assets for impairment in accordance with FRS11.

d Investment properties
Investment properties are revalued annually and included in
the balance sheet at their open market value. In accordance
with SSAP19, no depreciation is provided in respect of
investment properties. This represents a departure from the
Companies Act 1985 requirements concerning the

www.marksandspencer.com 23

depreciation of fixed assets. These properties are held for
investment and the directors consider that the adoption of
this policy is necessary to give a true and fair view.

Long-term assurance business
The value of the long-term assurance business consists of the
present value of surpluses expected to emerge in the future
from business currently in force, and this value is included in
prepayments and accrued income. In determining their value,
these surpluses are discounted at a risk-adjusted, post-tax
rate. Changes in the value are included in the profit and loss
account grossed up at the standard rate of corporation tax
applicable to insurance companies.

Operating leases
Costs in respect of operating leases are charged on a straight
line basis over the lease term.

Derivative financial instruments
The Group uses derivative financial instruments to manage
its exposures to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange
rates and interest rates. Derivative instruments utilised by the
Group include interest rate and currency swaps, forward rate
agreements and forward currency contracts. Amounts payable
or receivable in respect of interest rate swaps are recognised
as adjustments to net interest income over the period of the
contract. Forward currency contracts are accounted for as
hedges, with the instrument’s impact on profit deferred until
the underlying transaction is recognised in the profit and
loss account. 

Foreign currencies
The results of international subsidiaries are translated at the
weighted average of monthly exchange rates for sales and
profits. The balance sheets of overseas subsidiaries are
translated at year-end exchange rates. The resulting exchange
differences are dealt with through reserves and reported in the
consolidated statement of total recognised gains and losses.

Transactions denominated in foreign currencies are

translated at the exchange rate at the date of the transaction.
Foreign currency assets and liabilities held at the year-end are
translated at year-end exchange rates or the exchange rate of
a related forward exchange contract where appropriate. The
resulting exchange gain or loss is dealt with in the profit and
loss account.

Goodwill
Prior to 31 March 1998, goodwill arising on consolidation was
written off to reserves in the year of acquisition. As permitted
by FRS10, this goodwill has not been reinstated in the balance
sheet and remains written off to reserves. Goodwill arising on
subsequent acquisitions is capitalised and amortised over its
useful economic life. The profit or loss arising on the sale of a
previously acquired business includes the attributable
goodwill.

Pension contributions
Funded pension plans are in place for the Group’s UK
employees and the majority of employees overseas. The
assets of these pension plans are managed by third party
investment managers and are held separately in trust.
Regular valuations are prepared by independent

professionally qualified actuaries. These determine the level of
contributions required to fund the benefits set out in the rules
of the plans and allow for the periodic increase of pensions in
payment. The contributions and any variations from regular
cost arising from the actuarial valuations are charged or
credited to profits on a systematic basis over the estimated
remaining service lives of the employees.

Stocks
Stocks are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value
using the retail method.

24 Marks and Spencer p.l.c.
24 Marks and Spencer p.l.c.
24 Marks and Spencer p.l.c.

Notes to the financial statements

1. Trading period
The results for the year comprise store sales and related costs for the 52 weeks to 31 March 2001 (last year 53 weeks to 1 April
2000). All other activities are for the year to 31 March 2001. All results are derived from continuing operations.

2. Segmental information

A Classes of business
The Group has two classes of business: Retailing and Financial Services.
Retailing: Turnover represents goods sold to customers outside the Group, less returns and sales taxes.
Financial Services: Turnover represents the interest and other income attributable to the Financial Services companies and the
captive insurance company and arises within the United Kingdom and the Channel Islands.

Retailing activities

Before exceptional operating charges
Exceptional operating charges (see note 4A)

Financial Services1,2

Total operating activities
Add: excess interest charged to cost of sales 

of Financial Services2

Total operating profit
Loss on sale of property and other fixed assets
Loss on sale/termination of operations
Provision for loss on operations to be discontinued
Net interest income

Profit on ordinary activities before taxation
Unallocated net liabilities

Net assets

B Geographical split

United Kingdom
Retail

Before exceptional operating charges
Exceptional operating charges

Financial Services1,2

International Retail
Europe (excluding UK)

Before exceptional operating charges
Exceptional operating charges

North America
Far East

Total operating activities
Add: excess interest charged to cost of sales 

of Financial Services2

Total operating profit

2001
£m

Turnover

2000
£m

7,712.6

7,830.9

363.1

364.6

8,075.7

8,195.5

Operating profit

Operating assets

2001
£m

336.3
362.8
(26.5)
96.3

432.6

7.9

440.5
(83.2)
(1.7)
(224.0)
13.9

145.5

2000
£m

355.1
427.1
(72.0)
115.9

2001
£m

2000
£m

4,389.4

4,494.5

518.0

448.7

471.0

4,907.4

4,943.2

–

471.0
(22.3)
(45.4)
–
14.2

417.5

(246.4)

(21.4)

4,661.0

4,921.8

2001
£m

Turnover

2000
£m

Operating profit

Operating assets

2001
£m

2000
£m

2001
£m

2000
£m

6,293.0

6,482.7

363.1

364.6

6,656.1

6,847.3

548.3

555.6

761.2
110.1

691.4
101.2

1,419.6

1,348.2

308.3
334.8
(26.5)
96.3

404.6

(11.4)
(11.4)
–
32.0
7.4

28.0

356.8
420.1
(63.3)
115.9

3,757.1

3,905.2

518.0

448.7

472.7

4,275.1

4,353.9

(14.8)
(6.1)
(8.7)
16.4
(3.3)

(1.7)

394.5

387.8

232.8
5.0

632.3

201.2
0.3

589.3

8,075.7

8,195.5

432.6

471.0

4,907.4

4,943.2

7.9

440.5

–

471.0

1Operating profit for Financial Services includes £16.2m of merchant fee income (last year £nil) arising on Marks & Spencer Chargecard transactions. This fee
is payable by UK Retail and has been deducted in arriving at UK Retail operating profit.
2Financial Services operating profit is stated after charging £115.3m (last year £105.5m) to cost of sales. This interest represents the cost of funding the
Financial Services business as a separate segment, including both intra group interest and third party funding. The amount of third party interest payable
by the Group amounted to £107.4m (last year £107.4m) (see note 5). Intra group interest of £7.9m (last year £nil), being the excess over third party interest
payable, has been added back in the segmental analysis to arrive at total operating profit.
3The geographical segments disclose turnover and operating profit by destination and reflect management responsibility. 
4UK Retail turnover including VAT comprises clothing, footwear and gifts £3,649.5m (last year £3,939.0m); home £355.8m (last year £328.8m) and foods
£2,925.9m (last year £2,880.4m). VAT on UK Retail turnover was £638.2m (last year £665.5m). Since the last financial year, sales of certain lines have been
transferred from clothing, footwear and gifts to home. Comparatives for the last financial year have been restated accordingly.
5Operating profit includes pre-opening costs of £1.0m (last year £2.0m) for Europe.
6Turnover originates in the following geographical segments: United Kingdom £6,798.6m (last year £6,990.4m); Europe £435.5m (last year £436.0m);
North America £761.2m (last year £691.4m) and Far East £81.4m (last year £77.7m).
7The value of goods exported from the UK, including shipments to international subsidiaries, amounted to £436.0m (last year £460.2m).

2. Segmental information (continued)
Turnover and operating profit for North America and Europe comprise:

North America
Brooks Brothers (including Japan)
Kings Super Markets
Corporate expenses

M&S Canada

Europe
Continental Europe
Other European operations1

www.marksandspencer.com 25

2001
£m

448.1
313.1
–

761.2
–

761.2

285.0
263.3

548.3

Turnover

2000
£m

395.5
273.7
–

669.2
22.2

691.4

294.3
261.3

555.6

Operating profit

2001
£m

20.2
11.9
(0.1)

32.0
–

32.0

(34.0)
22.6

(11.4)

2000
£m

7.9
11.1
(2.6)

16.4
–

16.4

(33.5)
18.7

(14.8)

1Other European operations include the Republic of Ireland and franchises.

The results of international subsidiaries have been translated using weighted average rates of exchange ruling during the year.
The movements in exchange rates used for translation, compared to the same period last year, have increased international
sales (excluding Canada) by £57.4m. The effect on international operating profit is not significant.

3. Operating profit

Turnover
Cost of sales

Gross profit

Employee costs (see note 10)
Occupancy costs
Repairs, renewals and maintenance of fixed assets
Depreciation
Other costs1

Before
exceptional
charges
£m

8,075.7
(5,237.2)

2,838.5

1,100.8
311.5
91.2
275.9
592.1

Exceptional
charges
£m

2001

Total
£m

Before
exceptional
charges
£m

Exceptional
charges
£m

–
–

–

17.0
–
–
–
9.5

8,075.7
(5,237.2)

8,195.5
(5,402.8)

2,838.5

1,117.8
311.5
91.2
275.9
601.6

2,792.7

1,096.2
287.8
89.5
261.6
514.6

–
–

–

68.2
–
–
–
3.8

2000

Total
£m

8,195.5
(5,402.8)

2,792.7

1,164.4
287.8
89.5
261.6
518.4

Total net operating expenses2

(2,371.5)

(26.5)

(2,398.0)

(2,249.7)

Operating profit

467.0

(26.5)

440.5

543.0

(72.0)

(72.0)

(2,321.7)

471.0

The directors consider that the nature of the business is such that the analysis of expenses shown above is more informative than
that set out in the formats of the Companies Act 1985.

1Included in ‘Other costs’ is the remuneration to the auditors for audit and non-audit services as follows:

Audit fees

Non-audit services

The Group

The Company

2001
£m

1.1

2.1

2000
£m

1.1

2.8

2001
£m

0.5

1.5

2000
£m

0.4

2.2

Fees paid for non-audit services are for taxation advice, corporate finance and consulting services.

2Included in ‘Total net operating expenses’ are rentals under operating leases, comprising £4.5m for hire of plant and machinery (last year £2.3m) and £124.1m
of other rental costs (last year £123.4m).

26 Marks and Spencer p.l.c.

Notes to the financial statements

4. Exceptional items
A Exceptional operating charges

UK restructuring costs1
European restructuring costs2

Total exceptional operating charges

2001
£m

(26.5)
–

(26.5)

2000
£m

(63.3)
(8.7)

(72.0)

1The £26.5m is in respect of the closure of the ‘Direct‘ catalogue business (£16.5m) and the reduction of roles at the Group’s head office (£10.0m). The £63.3m
charge last year was in respect of the restructuring of UK Retail into customer business units, the rationalisation of store management and the refocusing of
existing store roles to customer facing activities, and the closure of two distribution centres. 
2The European restructuring costs last year were in respect of store closures in France and Germany.

B Loss on sale of property and other fixed assets

Disposal of European stores1
Provision for loss on ‘Direct’ assets2
Loss on sale of investment properties3
Other asset disposals4

Loss on sale of property and other fixed assets

2001
£m

–
(19.0)
–
(64.2)

(83.2)

2000
£m

(8.3)
–
(16.1)
2.1

(22.3)

1The loss of £8.3m last year relates to European store closures. Including the restructuring cost of £8.7m disclosed in note 4A above, this gave rise to total
closure costs of £17.0m.
2Including the restructuring cost of £16.5m disclosed in note 4A above, this gives rise to total closure costs for the ‘Direct’ catalogue business of £35.5m.
3The loss on sale of investment properties last year was in respect of the disposal of The Gyle shopping centre and a property in Newcastle.
4Other asset disposals mainly relates to the closure of UK Stores, £40.2m of which relates to satellite stores and was announced at the half year.

C Loss on sale/termination of operations

Loss on sale of Splendour.com Ltd
Loss on termination of Canadian operations

Loss on sale/termination of operations

The loss on sale/termination of operations is stated after charging £1.0m of goodwill (last year £24.4m).

D Provision for loss on operations to be discontinued

Net closure costs
Goodwill previously credited to reserves

Provision for loss on operations to be discontinued

2001
£m

(1.7)
–

(1.7)

2001
£m

(225.3)
1.3

(224.0)

The provision for loss on operations to be discontinued represents the expected cost of the intended closure of the Group’s
Continental European subsidiaries. Net closure costs include provision for future trading losses, losses on disposal of fixed
assets, property exit costs and redundancy costs.

5. Net interest income

Bank and other interest income
Less: amounts included in turnover of Financial Services

Interest expenditure
Less: interest charged to cost of sales of Financial Services
Intra group interest charged to cost of sales of Financial Services (see note 2)

£m

302.6
(288.7)

(107.4)
115.3
(7.9)

Net interest income

Interest expenditure comprises:
Amounts repayable within five years:

Bank loans, overdrafts and other borrowings
Medium term notes

Amounts repayable after five years:

Medium term notes

£m

309.3
(293.2)

(107.4)
105.5
–

2001

£m

13.9

–

13.9

(33.2)
(73.0)

(106.2)

(1.2)

(107.4)

2000
£m

–
(45.4)

(45.4)

2000
£m

–
–

–

2000

£m

16.1

(1.9)

14.2

(33.2)
(73.8)

(107.0)

(0.4)

(107.4)

6. Taxation on ordinary activities

The taxation charge comprises:
Current taxation

UK corporation tax at 30% (last year 30%):
Current year
Prior years

Double taxation relief

Overseas taxation

Deferred taxation (see note 22)

Current year
Prior years

www.marksandspencer.com 27

£m

2001

£m

£m

2000

£m

151.0
(6.3)

151.1
2.7

144.7
(4.7)

140.0
7.7

147.7

(5.0)

142.7

(4.3)
(0.7)

153.8
–

153.8
6.4

160.2

(2.0)

158.2

(1.9)
(0.1)

Included in the tax charge for the year is a credit of £8.5m (last year £19.0m) which is attributable to exceptional charges.

7. Profit for the financial year
As permitted by Section 230 of the Companies Act 1985, the profit and loss account of the Company is not presented as part of
these financial statements.

The consolidated profit for the financial year of £1.3m (last year £258.7m) includes a £23.3m loss (last year £280.6m profit)

which is dealt within the financial statements of the Company.

8. Dividends

Ordinary shares

Interim paid of 3.7p per share (last year 3.7p)
Proposed final of 5.3p per share (last year 5.3p)

Total ordinary dividend of 9.0p per share (last year 9.0p)

2001
£m

106.3
152.0

258.3

2000
£m

106.3
152.3

258.6

9. Earnings per share
The calculation of earnings per ordinary share is based on earnings after tax and minority interests and the weighted average
number of ordinary shares in issue during the year.

An adjusted earnings per share figure has been calculated in addition to the earnings per share required by FRS14, ‘Earnings
per Share’ and is based on earnings excluding the effect of the exceptional charges. It has been calculated to allow shareholders
to gain a clearer understanding of the trading performance of the Group. Details of the adjusted earnings per share are set
out below:

Basic earnings 
Exceptional operating charges
Loss on sale of property and other fixed assets
Loss on sale/termination of operations
Provision for loss on operations to be discontinued

Adjusted earnings

Basic
pence 
per share

2001

Diluted
pence 
per share

0.0
0.7
2.9
0.1
7.7

0.0
0.7
2.9
0.1
7.7

11.4

11.4

£m

1.3
19.3
83.2
1.7
222.7

328.2

Basic
pence 
per share

2000

Diluted
pence 
per share

9.0
1.8
0.8
1.6
–

9.0
1.8
0.8
1.6
–

13.2

13.2

£m

258.7
53.0
22.3
45.4
–

379.4

28 Marks and Spencer p.l.c.

Notes to the financial statements

9. Earnings per share (continued)
The IIMR earnings per share has also been calculated in addition to the basic earnings per share and is based on earnings
adjusted to eliminate certain capital items as follows:

Basic earnings 
Loss on sale of property and other fixed assets
Loss on sale/termination of operations
Provision for loss on operations to be discontinued

IIMR earnings 

Basic
pence 
per share

2001

Diluted
pence 
per share

0.0
2.9
0.1
7.7

0.0
2.9
0.1
7.7

10.7

10.7

£m

1.3
83.2
1.7
222.7

308.9

Basic
pence 
per share

2000

Diluted
pence 
per share

9.0
0.8
1.6
–

9.0
0.8
1.6
–

11.4

11.4

£m

258.7
22.3
45.4
–

326.4

The weighted average number of ordinary shares used in the calculation of earnings per share are as follows:

Weighted average ordinary shares in issue during the year ended 31 March
Potentially dilutive share options under the Group’s share option schemes

Weighted average ordinary shares for diluted earnings per share

10. Employees
The average number of employees of the Group during the year was:

UK stores

UK head office

Financial Services

Overseas

Management and supervisory categories
Other
Management and supervisory categories
Other
Management and supervisory categories
Other

2001
m

2,872.4
9.8

2,882.2

2000
m

2,872.1
13.6

2,885.7

2001

2000

3,880
55,511
2,242
1,299
314
1,230
12,015

76,491

3,885
54,545
2,379
1,441
320
1,127
11,960

75,657

If the number of hours worked was converted on the basis of a normal working week, the equivalent average number of full-time
employees would have been 52,213 (last year 52,156).

The aggregate remuneration and associated costs of Group employees were:

Wages and salaries
UK profit sharing (see note 10C)
Social security costs
Pension costs (see note 10A)
Employee welfare and other personnel costs

Classified as:
Employee costs (see note 3)
Manufacturing cost of sales

Before
exceptional
charges
£m

Exceptional
charges
£m

835.2
8.3
59.6
119.3
98.5

1,120.9

1,100.8
20.1

1,120.9

14.8
0.2
0.4
0.8
0.8

17.0

17.0
–

17.0

Before
exceptional
charges
£m

Exceptional
charges
£m

2001

Total
£m

850.0
8.5
60.0
120.1
99.3

834.4
11.8
59.3
120.5
89.1

1,137.9

1,115.1

1,117.8
20.1

1,137.9

1,096.2
18.9

1,115.1

2000

Total
£m

886.8
12.4
60.3
124.5
99.3

1,183.3

1,164.4
18.9

1,183.3

52.4
0.6
1.0
4.0
10.2

68.2

68.2
–

68.2

www.marksandspencer.com 29

10. Employees (continued)
A Pension costs
The total pension cost for the Group was £120.1m (last year £124.5m) of which £110.6m relates to the UK Scheme (last year
£112.1m), £nil relates to the Early Retirement Plan (last year £2.6m) and £9.5m relates to overseas schemes (last year £9.8m).

The Group operates a number of funded defined benefit pension schemes throughout the world.
The latest actuarial valuation of the UK Scheme was carried out at 1 April 1998 by an independent actuary using the projected

unit method. The key assumptions adopted were:

Price inflation
Rate of increase in salaries
Rate of increase in pensions in payment
Rate of return on investments
Rate of increase in dividend income
Rate of interest applied to discount liabilities

3.5%
5.25%
3.5%
8.25%
4.5%
8.25%

The latest actuarial valuation revealed a shortfall of £74m in the actuarial value of the assets of the UK Scheme of £2,047m
compared to the actuarial liability for pension benefits. (The market value of assets at 1 April 1998 was £2,709m.) This represents
a funding level of 97%.

The shortfall of £74m together with the unamortised accounting deficit relating to prior periods gives a total unamortised
deficit of £169.4m. This is being amortised over a period of 12 years from 1 April 1998, being the remaining estimated service
lives of the current Scheme members.

The next actuarial valuation of the UK Pension Scheme is being carried out as at 1 April 2001 and the results will be reflected

in the financial statements for the year ending 31 March 2002.

The total UK pension cost is analysed as follows:

Normal pension cost1
Amortisation of deficit
Net interest elements

Total

1At standard contribution rate of 15.9% (last year 15.9%).

2001
£m

92.6
14.1
3.9

2000
£m

93.9
14.1
4.1

110.6

112.1

As shown in note 15, the Company has pre-paid pension costs of £162.7m. This includes the partial funding of the deficit,
offset by the amortisation and interest elements shown above, with the balance being pre-paid contributions to the UK Scheme.

The pension costs relating to overseas schemes have been determined in accordance with the advice of independent

qualified actuaries.

B Post-retirement health benefits
The Company has a commitment to pay all or a proportion of the health insurance premiums for a number of its retired
employees and their spouses, the last of whom retired in 1988. There is no commitment in respect of current employees or those
who have retired since 1988.

At 31 March 1999, the Company reassessed this liability in accordance with the advice of an independent qualified actuary.

The discounted present value of £27.7m (see note 22) has been fully provided. The valuation assumed a premium inflation of
7.5% and an after-tax discount rate of 7.0%. There is a matching deferred taxation asset of £8.3m.

The next actuarial valuation will be carried out as at 31 March 2002.

C United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland profit sharing schemes
The amount of profit which will be allocated this year, in the form of ordinary shares in the Company, has been fixed at £8.5m
(last year £12.4m), representing 1.75% (last year 2.5%) of the earnings of 43,741 (last year 44,145) eligible employees.

These shares are now purchased in the market: 4,459,905 ordinary shares were purchased by the Profit Sharing Trustees in

respect of the 1999/2000 allocation.

D United Kingdom Employees’ Save As You Earn Share Option Scheme
Under the terms of the Scheme, the Board may offer options to purchase ordinary shares in the Company once in each financial
year to those employees who enter into an Inland Revenue approved Save As You Earn (SAYE) savings contract. The price at
which options may be offered is 80% of the market price for three consecutive dealing days preceding the date of offer. The
options may normally be exercised during the period of six months after the completion of the SAYE contract, either three, five
or seven years after entering the Scheme.

30 Marks and Spencer p.l.c.

Notes to the financial statements

10. Employees (continued)
Outstanding options granted under the United Kingdom Employees’ Save As You Earn Share Option Scheme are as follows:

Options granted
January 1993
January 1994
January 1995
January 1996
January 1997
January 1998
January 1999
January 2000
January 2001

Number of shares

2001

2000

Option
price

expired 1,390,015
518,636 2,559,142
2,793,633 7,146,133
3,536,269 7,189,225
5,384,139 7,209,963
3,877,749 5,901,130
7,896,779 11,282,225
23,856,114 36,500,221
–
32,355,154

257p
319p
322p
330p
389p
467p
324p
223p
156p

E Executive Share Option Schemes
Under the terms of the 2000 Scheme, the Board may offer options to purchase ordinary shares in the Company to executive
directors and senior employees at the market price on a date to be determined prior to the date of the offer. No further options
may be granted under the 1984, 1987 and 1997 Schemes. Outstanding options under each of the 1984 and 1987 Schemes continue
to be bound by the Maximum Option Value which is limited to four times remuneration on exercise (further details are set out in
the Remuneration Report on page 14). Outstanding options granted under all executive share option schemes are as follows:

Number of shares

2001

2000 Option price

Option dates

Options granted
(1984 Scheme)
May 1991
May 1992
May 1993
October 1993
May 1994
October 1994
May 1995
May 1996
November 1996
June 1997

(1987 Scheme)
May 1994
October 1994
May 1995
May 1996
November 1996
June 1997

(1997 Scheme – Tier 1)
June 1998
November 1998
June 1999
November 1999
January 2000
March 2000
June 2000

(1997 Scheme – Tier 2)
June 1998
November 1998
June 1999
November 1999
January 2000
March 2000
June 2000

(2000 Scheme +3%)
September 2000
December 2000
March 2001

(2000 Scheme +4%)
September 2000
December 2000
March 2001

19,576

732,802

748,546
1,650,583 1,652,102
1,213,976 1,233,053
19,576
1,859,827 1,878,391
21,541
1,545,062 1,566,969
58,950
6,172
39,844

58,950
6,172
39,844

21,541

9,288

1,119,504 1,138,068
9,288
1,426,796 1,426,796
1,625,742 1,654,620
39,507
2,003,084 2,032,282

39,507

379,338
247,221
929,298
95,323
360,655

385,355
265,785
985,394
95,323
360,655
1,992,337 1,992,337
–

184,615

99,261

3,023,780 4,979,790
117,825
2,305,306 2,491,935
59,352
360,655
1,992,337 1,992,337
–

59,352
360,655

184,615

4,209,681
574,358
323,393

4,265,494
574,358
323,393

–
–
–

–
–
–

254p May 1994 – May 2001
329p May 1995 – May 2002
341p May 1996 – May 2003
399p Oct 1996 – Oct 2003
404p May 1997 – May 2004
402p Oct 1997 – Oct 2004
414p May 1998 – May 2005
458p May 1999 – May 2006
486p Nov 1999 – Nov 2006
527p June 2000 – June 2007

404p May 1997 – May 2001
402p Oct 1997 – Oct 2001
414p May 1998 – May 2002
458p May 1999 – May 2003
486p Nov 1999 – Nov 2003
527p June 2000 – June 2004

557p June 2001 – June 2008
404p Nov 2001 – Nov 2008
358p June 2002 – June 2009
278p Nov 2002 – Nov 2009
305p
Jan 2003 – Jan 2010
261p Mar 2003 – Mar 2010
260p June 2003 – June 2010

557p June 2003 – June 2008
404p Nov 2003 – Nov 2008
358p June 2004 – June 2009
278p Nov 2004 – Nov 2009
305p
Jan 2005 – Jan 2010
261p Mar 2005 – Mar 2010
260p June 2005 – June 2010

215p Sept 2003 – Sept 2010
195p
Jan 2004 – Jan 2011
218p Mar 2004 – Mar 2011

215p Sept 2003 – Sept 2010
195p
Jan 2004 – Jan 2011
218p Mar 2004 – Mar 2011

www.marksandspencer.com 31

11. Directors
A Emoluments
Emoluments of directors of the Company are summarised below. Further details are given in the Remuneration Report on pages
10 to 15.

Aggregate emoluments
Termination payments

2001
£‘000

3,998
2,742

2000
£’000

6,534
–

B Transactions with directors
Interest-free loans were made, during the financial year, under the employees’ loan scheme by the Company as follows:
• £501,000 to Roger Holmes which was repaid in full prior to his appointment as a director on 1 January 2001 (see

Remuneration Report, page 12); and

• £80,018 to David Norgrove which was made prior to his appointment as a director and repaid in full before the end of the

financial year. 

During the year there was no contract of significance to which the Company, or one of its subsidiaries, was a party and in which
a director of the Company was materially interested.

12. Goodwill
Goodwill brought forward at the beginning of the year of £1.3m has been dealt with in these financial statements as follows:

Amortised against operating profit
Eliminated on disposal of Splendour.com Ltd

13. Tangible fixed assets
A Tangible fixed assets

Cost or valuation
At 1 April 2000
Additions
Transfers
Revaluation deficit
Disposals
Differences on exchange

Land &
buildings
£m

2,868.7
17.0
17.9
(3.0)
(16.1)
11.5

At 31 March 2001

2,896.0

2,975.0

£m

0.3
1.0

1.3

The Group

The Company

Fixtures,
fittings &
equipment
£m

Assets
in the
course of
construction
£m

Total
£m

Land &
buildings
£m

Fixtures,
fittings &
equipment
£m

Assets
in the
course of
construction
£m

2,756.9
186.8
24.8
–
(27.5)
34.0

81.3
51.9
(42.7)
–
(0.4)
1.7

91.8

5,706.9
255.7
–
(3.0)
(44.0)
47.2

2,537.7
13.4
17.4
(3.0)
(11.9)
–

2,237.2
167.9
6.7
–
(21.3)
–

5,962.8

2,553.6

2,390.5

94.6
22.4
47.0
(4.1)
0.9

1,370.2
253.5
64.2
(22.5)
17.7

160.8

1,683.1

–
–
–
–
–

–

1,464.8
275.9
111.2
(26.6)
18.6

79.2
18.3
25.8
(0.1)
–

1,091.9
205.3
54.4
(17.3)
–

1,843.9

123.2

1,334.3

Total
£m

4,819.7
211.8
–
(3.0)
(33.2)
–

4,995.3

1,171.1
223.6
80.2
(17.4)
–

1,457.5

44.8
30.5
(24.1)
–
–
–

51.2

–
–
–
–
–

–

2,735.2

1,291.9

91.8

4,118.9

2,430.4

1,056.2

51.2

3,537.8

2,774.1

1,386.7

81.3

4,242.1

2,458.5

1,145.3

44.8

3,648.6

Long
leasehold
£m

Short
leasehold
£m

Freehold
£m

865.4
1,006.1

1,871.5
(39.0)

Long
leasehold
£m

Short
leasehold
£m

437.9
445.5

883.4
(48.8)

13.5
127.6

141.1
(73.0)

The Group

Total
£m

1,316.8
1,579.2

2,896.0
(160.8)

Freehold
£m

865.4
723.8

1,589.2
(29.4)

1,832.5

1,850.3

834.6

850.8

68.1

2,735.2

1,559.8

73.0

2,774.1

1,583.1

437.9
433.2

871.1
(30.8)

840.3

839.4

The Company

Total
£m

1,316.8
1,236.8

2,553.6
(123.2)

13.5
79.8

93.3
(63.0)

30.3

2,430.4

36.0

2,458.5

Accumulated depreciation
At 1 April 2000
Depreciation for the year
Provision for loss on disposal
Disposals
Differences on exchange

At 31 March 2001

Net book value
At 31 March 2001

At 1 April 2000

Analysis of land & buildings

At valuation
At cost

Accumulated depreciation

Net book value
At 31 March 2001

At 1 April 2000

32 Marks and Spencer p.l.c.

Notes to the financial statements

13. Tangible fixed assets (continued)
B Investment properties
Freehold land and buildings include investment properties as follows:

Cost or valuation
At 1 April 2000
Revaluation deficit

At 31 March 2001

The Group The Company
£m

£m

54.5
(3.0)

51.5

54.5
(3.0)

51.5

C Tangible fixed assets at cost
Gerald Eve, Chartered Surveyors, valued the Company’s freehold and leasehold properties in the United Kingdom as at
31 March 1982. This valuation was on the basis of open market value for existing use. At 31 March 1988, the directors, after
consultation with Gerald Eve, revalued those of the Company’s properties which had been valued as at 31 March 1982
(excluding subsequent additions and adjusted for disposals). The directors’ valuation was incorporated into the financial
statements at 31 March 1988.

The Company’s freehold interests in three investment properties have been valued at open market value in accordance with

the RICS Appraisal and Valuation Manual as at 31 March 2001 by external valuers, Gerald Eve, Chartered Surveyors. The
valuations of these investment properties are based on the apportionment of larger valuations to exclude an owner occupied
Marks & Spencer store in each case. They exclude any income or outgoings attributable to the owner occupied Marks &
Spencer stores which have been assumed to continue trading.

If the Company’s land and buildings had not been valued as set out above, their net book value would have been:

At valuation at 31 March 19751
At cost

At 31 March
Accumulated depreciation

Net book value at 31 March

2001
£m

333.6
1,497.8

1,831.4
(159.2)

2000
£m

333.6
1,478.9

1,812.5
(117.1)

1,672.2

1,695.4

1The Company also valued its land and buildings in 1955 and in 1964. In the opinion of the directors, unreasonable expense would be incurred in obtaining the
original costs of the assets valued in those years and in 1975.

14. Fixed asset investments
A Investments

Joint
venture1,2
£m

Other
investments3
£m

At 1 April 2000
Additions
Disposals
Share of joint venture’s property 

revaluation
Repayment of loan

At 31 March 2001

25.4
0.7
–

1.3
(7.6)

19.8

29.6
21.0
(12.1)

–
–

Total
£m

55.0
21.7
(12.1)

1.3
(7.6)

The Group

The Company

Shares in
Group

Loans to
Group
undertakings4 undertakings
£m

£m

Joint
venture1
£m

Other
investments3
£m

363.1
10.0
(0.4)

–
–

69.5
–
(12.0)

–
–

15.9
–
–

–
(7.6)

8.3

Total
£m

450.4
16.7
(13.7)

–
(7.6)

1.9
6.7
(1.3)

–
–

38.5

58.3

372.7

57.5

7.3

445.8

1The joint venture represents a 50% interest in Hedge End Park Ltd, a property investment company. The partner in the joint venture is J Sainsbury plc.
2The Group’s investment in the joint venture includes £2.2m (last year £9.8m) of loans and accumulated reserves of £11.5m (last year £9.5m).
3Other investments include listed securities held by a subsidiary. The difference between their book value and market value is negligible. Other investments
also include 3,525,198 shares in the Company held by employee share trusts (‘the Trusts’). Of these shares, 3,525,198 (last year 468,263) were held by the Marks
and Spencer p.l.c. Qualifying Employee Share Ownership Trust (see note 24) and no shares (last year 240,000) were held by other trusts. At 31 March 2001,
shares held by the Trusts had a book value of £7.3m (last year £1.9m).
4Shares in Group undertakings of £372.7m (last year £363.1m) are stated after cumulative amounts written off of £543.6m (last year £543.6m).

www.marksandspencer.com 33

14. Fixed asset investments (continued)
B Principal subsidiary undertakings
The Company’s principal subsidiary undertakings are set out below. A schedule of interests in all undertakings is filed with the
Annual Return.

Principal
activity

Country of
incorporation
and operation

Proportion of voting rights
and shares held by:

The Company 

A subsidiary

Marks and Spencer International Holdings Limited
Marks and Spencer (Nederland) BV
Marks & Spencer Finance Inc
Marks and Spencer Ventures Limited
Marks & Spencer (France) SA
SA Marks and Spencer (Belgium) NV
Marks and Spencer (España) SA
Marks and Spencer (Portugal) Lda
Marks and Spencer Stores BV
Marks and Spencer (Deutschland) GmbH
Marks and Spencer (Ireland) Limited
Brooks Brothers Inc
Brooks Brothers (Japan) Limited
Kings Super Markets Inc
Marks and Spencer (Asia Pacific) Limited
M&S Card Services Limited
Marks and Spencer Retail Financial Services Holdings Limited
Marks and Spencer Financial Services Limited
Marks and Spencer Unit Trust Management Limited
Marks and Spencer Savings and Investments Limited
Marks and Spencer Life Assurance Limited
MS Insurance Limited
St Michael Finance p.l.c.
Marks & Spencer Finance p.l.c.
Marks and Spencer Property Holdings Limited

Great Britain
Holding Company
The Netherlands
Holding Company
United States
Holding Company
Great Britain
Holding Company
France
Retailing
Belgium
Retailing
Spain
Retailing
Portugal
Retailing
The Netherlands
Retailing
Germany
Retailing
Republic of Ireland
Retailing
United States
Retailing
Japan
Retailing
United States
Retailing
Retailing
Hong Kong
Credit Card Handling Great Britain
Great Britain
Holding Company
Great Britain
Financial Services
Great Britain
Financial Services
Great Britain
Financial Services
Great Britain
Financial Services
Guernsey
Financial Services
Great Britain
Finance
Great Britain
Finance
Great Britain
Property Investment

100%
–
100%
100%
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
100%
100%
–
–
–
–
–
100%
100%
100%

–
100%
–
–
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
51%
100%
100%
–
–
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
–
–
–

15. Debtors

The Group

The Company

A Amounts receivable within one year

Trade debtors
Customer advances
Amounts owed by Group undertakings
Other debtors1
Prepayments and accrued income2

B Amounts receivable after more than one year3

Customer advances
Other debtors1
Prepayments and accrued income2

2001
£m

2000
£m

2001
£m

34.9
629.1
–
29.4
223.8

917.2

44.4
663.3
–
61.9
218.7

988.3

1,630.1
16.3
65.7

1,712.1

1,478.1
17.1
71.7

1,566.9

14.6
–
476.9
16.8
134.4

642.7

–
11.3
61.6

72.9

2000
£m

26.5
–
599.1
21.9
147.7

795.2

–
12.5
67.8

80.3

1Other debtors include an interest-free loan to an officer of the Company of £87,000 (last year £55,735).
2Prepayments and accrued income includes £162.7m (last year £175.0m) in respect of the UK Pension Scheme. Of this, £58.6m (last year £67.8m) is included in
amounts receivable after more than one year.
3Amounts receivable after more than one year include £70.4m (last year £76.0m) of non-financial assets which have been excluded from the analysis in note 18.

34 Marks and Spencer p.l.c.

Notes to the financial statements

16. Current asset investments

Listed investments:

Government securities
Listed in the United Kingdom
Listed overseas
Unlisted investments
Short-term deposits1

The Group

The Company

2001
£m

2000
£m

2001
£m

2000
£m

141.5
57.6
50.4
10.5
–

260.0

74.0
47.0
59.8
11.6
194.0

386.4

–
–
–
–
–

–

–
–
–
–
–

–

1Short-term deposits comprise deposits with banks and other financial institutions with initial maturity of more than three months.

17. Cash at bank and in hand
Cash at bank includes commercial paper and short-term deposits with banks and other financial institutions with initial maturity
of three months or less.

18. Analysis of financial assets
After taking into account the various interest rate swaps entered into by the Group, the currency and interest rate exposure of
the Group’s financial assets is set out below. There are no financial assets other than short-term debtors excluded from this
analysis.

A Interest rate and currency analysis

Currency
Sterling
US dollar
Euro
Other

Fixed rate Floating rate
£m

£m

Non-interest
bearing
£m

2001

Total
£m

Fixed rate
£m

Floating rate
£m

Non-interest
bearing
£m

141.2
11.5
14.1
10.7

177.5

1,740.5
30.1
21.7
22.4

1,814.7

87.8
2.0
11.1
1.5

1,969.5
43.6
46.9
34.6

96.7
17.0
16.5
4.7

102.4

2,094.6

134.9

1,912.0
29.4
20.8
18.9

1,981.1

77.1
4.0
9.2
1.7

92.0

The Group

2000

Total
£m

2,085.8
50.4
46.5
25.3

2,208.0

The floating rate sterling and US dollar assets are at interest rates linked to LIBID. The non-interest bearing cash is
predominantly cash in tills and uncleared deposits.

B Analysis of fixed interest rate

Fixed rate financial assets

2001
Weighted 

2000

average Weighted average
interest rate
%

interest rate
%

2001

2000
Weighted average Weighted average
period for which
rate is fixed
Years

period for which
rate is fixed
Years

Currency
Sterling
US dollar
Euro
Other

6.7
6.5
5.1
2.3

7.0
6.0
4.6
2.6

9.0
11.1
6.0
8.2

C Analysis of financial assets

Cash at bank and in hand
Current asset investments
Customer advances falling due in more than one year
Fixed asset investments
Other amounts receivable after more than one year

Financial assets as defined by FRS13

Customer advances falling due in less than one year

Financial assets including short-term customer advances

7.5
7.3
7.3
3.6

The Group

2000
£m

301.1
386.4
1,478.1
29.6
12.8

2,208.0

663.3

2001
£m

154.4
260.0
1,630.1
38.5
11.6

2,094.6

629.1

2,723.7

2,871.3

www.marksandspencer.com 35

19. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

The Group

The Company

Bank loans and overdrafts
Medium term notes (see note 21B)
Trade creditors
Amounts owed to Group undertakings
Taxation
Social security and other taxes
Other creditors1
Accruals and deferred income
Proposed final dividend

2001
£m

534.8
486.8
207.5
–
95.6
33.7
247.4
223.8
152.0

2000
£m

469.0
700.4
219.3
–
112.8
30.1
254.3
224.5
152.4

1,981.6

2,162.8

2001
£m

35.8
–
173.6
20.9
68.1
24.0
131.0
123.7
152.0

729.1

2000
£m

29.3
–
180.8
9.3
82.9
21.6
138.3
121.4
152.4

736.0

1Other creditors include £22.5m (last year £27.1m) which is shown in the calculation of the Group’s net debt and is treated as financing within the cash flow
statement. 

20. Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year

Medium term notes (see note 21B)
Other creditors1,2

The Group

The Company

2001
£m

598.3
136.8

735.1

2000
£m

686.1
118.2

804.3

2001
£m

–
–

–

2000
£m

–
–

–

1Other creditors include £49.8m (last year £56.3m) which is shown in the calculation of the Group’s net debt and is treated as financing within the cash flow
statement.
2Other creditors include £84.8m (last year £58.2m) of non-financial liabilities which have been excluded from the analysis in note 21.

21. Analysis of financial liabilities
A Interest rate and currency analysis
After taking into account the various interest rate and currency swaps entered into by the Group, the currency and interest rate
exposure of the Group’s financial liabilities are set out below. There are no financial liabilities other than short-term creditors
excluded from this analysis.

Currency
Sterling
US dollar
Euro
Other

Fixed rate Floating rate
£m

£m

2001

Total
£m

Fixed rate
£m

Floating rate
£m

100.0
–
–
–

100.0

1,236.2
193.9
145.0
19.3

1,336.2
193.9
145.0
19.3

1,594.4

1,694.4

100.0
–
–
–

100.0

1,408.3
183.8
184.9
65.6

1,842.6

The Group

2000

Total
£m

1,508.3
183.8
184.9
65.6

1,942.6

The floating rate sterling and US dollar borrowings are linked to interest rates related to LIBOR. These rates are for periods
ranging from one month to six months. The fixed rate sterling borrowings are at a weighted average rate of 6.8% (last year 6.8%)
and the weighted average time for which the rate is fixed is 2.3 years (last year 3.3 years). 

36 Marks and Spencer p.l.c.

Notes to the financial statements

21. Analysis of financial liabilities (continued)
B Maturity of financial liabilities

Repayable within one year:

Bank loans, overdrafts and commercial paper
Medium term notes
Other creditors

Repayable between one and two years:

Medium term notes
Other creditors

Repayable between two and five years:

Medium term notes
Other creditors

Repayable in five years or more:

Medium term notes
Other creditors

2001
£m

534.8
486.8
22.5

The Group

2000
£m

469.0
700.4
27.1

1,044.1

1,196.5

175.1
20.5

195.6

403.3
27.0

430.3

19.9
4.5

24.4

95.2
23.3

118.5

571.0
31.5

602.5

19.9
5.2

25.1

1,694.4

1,942.6

1Financial liabilities include £2.2m (last year £3.7m) of other creditors which is excluded from the reconciliation of net debt in note 29.

C Borrowing facilities
At 31 March 2001, the Group had an undrawn committed facility of £425.0m (last year $50.0m) linked to its commercial paper
programme and subject to annual review. The Group also has a number of undrawn uncommitted facilities available to it.
At 31 March 2001 these amounted to £547.5m (last year £533.3m).

22. Provisions for liabilities and charges

Post-retirement health benefits1
At 1 April 2000
Utilised during the year
Interest charged

At 31 March 2001

UK restructuring2,5
At 1 April 2000
Additions during the year
Utilised during the year

At 31 March 2001

Overseas restructuring3,5
At 1 April 2000
Additions during the year
Utilised during the year
Exchange differences

At 31 March 2001

Deferred tax4
At 1 April 2000
Credited to the profit and loss account (see note 6)
Exchange differences

At 31 March 2001

Total at 31 March 2001

Total at 31 March 2000

www.marksandspencer.com 37

The Group The Company

£m

£m

27.7
(1.8)
1.8

27.7

42.6
30.1
(29.5)

43.2

8.1
194.5
(1.7)
0.4

201.3

48.2
(5.0)
0.3

43.5

315.7

126.6

27.7
(1.8)
1.8

27.7

42.6
30.1
(29.5)

43.2

–
8.6
–
–

8.6

42.7
(3.0)
–

39.7

119.2

113.0

1The £27.7m provision for post-retirement health benefits represents the estimated value of the Company’s subsidy of the Marks & Spencer Health Insurance
Scheme, in so far as it relates to private medical benefits for retired employees and their dependants, for whom the Company meets the whole, or part, of the
cost (see note 10B for further details).
2The provision for UK restructuring costs relates to the ongoing costs of restructuring the Group’s UK operations. The balance at 31 March 2001 primarily
relates to the ongoing restructuring of the Group’s head office functions and ‘Direct’ operations. The majority of these costs are expected to be incurred
during the next financial year.
3The provision for Overseas restructuring costs primarily relates to the costs expected to be incurred in respect of the intended closure of the Group’s
operations in Continental Europe. The balance at 31 March 2001 primarily relates to redundancy costs and future trading losses, the majority of which are
expected to be incurred during the next financial year.
4The deferred tax provision consists of £51.8m (last year £56.5m) arising on short-term timing differences offset by £8.3m (last year £8.3m) arising on post-
retirement health benefits.
5Since last year, the analysis of provisions has been revised to show UK and Overseas restructuring costs separately. The brought-forward provision for
Overseas restructuring consists of £4.1m and £4.0m in respect of Europe and Canada respectively.

Unprovided deferred tax

Excess of capital allowances over depreciation on tangible fixed assets

The Group

The Company

2001
£m

79.6

2000
£m1

72.8

2001
£m

66.4

2000
£m1

58.5

1The comparatives for 2000 for the Group and the Company have been restated following a reassessment of the quantum of the book value of fit out on which
capital allowances have been claimed.

In December 2000 the Accounting Standards Board issued FRS 19 ‘Deferred Tax’. This FRS requires deferred tax to be provided
for on a ‘full provision’ basis. The Group will adopt this standard for the year ended 31 March 2002.

In the opinion of the directors, any taxable gains arising on the disposal of revalued properties will be covered by brought

forward tax losses and rollover relief. Accordingly, the potential deferred tax in respect of these properties has not been
quantified in the above analysis.

Deferred tax is not provided in respect of liabilities which might arise on the distribution of unappropriated profits of

international subsidiaries.

38 Marks and Spencer p.l.c.

Notes to the financial statements

23. Financial instruments and risk management
A Fair values of financial instruments
Set out below is a comparison of current and book values of all the Group’s financial instruments by category. Where market
prices are not available for a particular instrument, fair values have been calculated by discounting cash flows at prevailing
interest rates and exchange rates.

Assets/(liabilities)
Customer advances falling due in more than one year
Current asset investments1
Fixed asset investments2
Cash at bank and in hand1
Borrowings due within one year1
Financial liabilities due after more than one year1
Interest rate swaps3
Forward foreign currency contracts3
FTSE 100 put options4

Book value
£m

2001
Fair value
£m

Book value
£m

1,630.1
260.0
38.5
154.4
(1,044.1)
(650.3)
–
–
1.3

1,646.2
255.5
38.5
154.4
(1,039.6)
(694.7)
22.6
(1.4)
2.8

1,478.1
386.4
29.6
301.1
(1,196.1)
(746.1)
–
–
2.2

The Group

2000
Fair value
£m

1,474.2
386.4
29.6
301.1
(1,199.6)
(737.4)
(2.6)
20.2
3.1

1Current asset investments and cash at bank are predominantly short-term deposits placed with banks, financial institutions and on money markets, and
investments in short-term securities. Borrowings are at floating rates. Therefore, fair values closely approximate book values.
2Fixed asset investments comprise listed securities held by a subsidiary.
3Interest rate swaps and forward foreign currency contracts have been marked to market to produce a fair value figure.
4FTSE 100 put options provide no loss guarantees on certain Unit Trust offers. The options are on a fully matched basis and are not traded. They have been
marked to market to produce a fair value figure.

B Hedges of future transactions
Unrecognised gains and losses on instruments used for hedging and those recognised in the year ended 31 March 2001 are
as follows:

Unrecognised gains/(losses) on hedges at 1 April 2000
(Gains)/losses arising in previous years recognised in the year

Gains/(losses) in previous years not recognised in the year
Gains/(losses) arising in the year

Unrecognised gains/(losses) on hedges at 31 March 2001

Of which:
Gains/(losses) expected to be recognised within one year
Gains/(losses) expected to be recognised after one year

Gains
£m

57.7
(46.7)

11.0
44.9

55.9

Losses
£m

(39.2)
20.2

(19.0)
(14.2)

(33.2)

Net total
£m

18.5
(26.5)

(8.0)
30.7

22.7

6.2
49.7

(13.2)
(20.0)

(7.0)
29.7

C Currency risk
The effect of currency exposures arising from the translation of overseas investments is mitigated by Group borrowings in the
local currencies of its main operating subsidiaries. Gains and losses arising on net investments in overseas subsidiaries are
recognised in the consolidated statement of total recognised gains and losses.

After taking into account the effect of any hedging transactions that manage transactional currency exposures, no Group

company had any material monetary assets or liabilities in currencies other than their functional currencies at the balance
sheet date.

24. Called up share capital

Authorised:

3,200,000,000 ordinary shares of 25p each

Allotted, called up and fully paid:

2,867,383,731 ordinary shares of 25p each (last year 2,874,587,298)

www.marksandspencer.com 39

The Company

2001
£m

2000
£m

800.0

800.0

716.9

718.6

3,415,705 ordinary shares having a nominal value of £0.9m were allotted during the year under the terms of the Company’s share
schemes which are described in note 10. The aggregate consideration received was £7.1m. Contingent rights to the allotment of
shares are also described in note 10.

Of the 3,415,705 ordinary shares referred to above, 3,265,848 ordinary shares were subscribed for by the Marks and Spencer

p.l.c. Qualifying Employee Share Ownership Trust (the ‘QUEST’) at market value of £6.8m. Of these shares, 208,913 were
allocated to employees, including executive directors, in satisfaction of options exercised under the Marks and Spencer United
Kingdom Employees’ Save As You Earn Share Option Scheme. The Company provided £nil (last year £1.1m) to the QUEST for
this purpose. The cost of this contribution was transferred by the Company directly to the profit and loss account reserve (see
note 25). At 31 March 2001, 3,525,198 shares were held by the QUEST (see note 14).

10,619,272 ordinary shares having a nominal value of £2.6m were purchased by the Company for an aggregate consideration

of £20.3m. The nominal value of the cancelled shares has been transferred to the capital redemption reserve (see below).

25. Shareholders’ funds

The Group

The Company

Called up share capital (see note 24)

Share premium account:

At 1 April
Shares issued under the Company’s share schemes

At 31 March

Revaluation reserve:

At 1 April
(Deficit)/surplus on revaluation of investment properties
Share of joint venture’s movement in revaluation reserve
Revaluation deficit/(surplus) realised on disposals
Revaluation element of depreciation charge

At 31 March

Capital redemption reserve:

At 1 April
Purchase of own shares

At 31 March

Profit and loss account reserve:

2001
£m

2000
£m

2001
£m

716.9

718.6

716.9

369.4
6.2

375.6

457.9
(3.0)
1.3
1.3
(1.9)

455.6

–
2.6

2.6

358.5
10.9

369.4

531.0
1.8
1.2
(74.2)
(1.9)

457.9

–
–

–

369.4
6.2

375.6

458.9
(3.0)
–
–
(1.9)

454.0

–
2.6

2.6

2000
£m

718.6

358.5
10.9

369.4

533.2
1.8
–
(74.2)
(1.9)

458.9

–
–

–

At 1 April
Revaluation element of depreciation charge
Revaluation (deficit)/surplus realised on disposals
Purchase of own shares
Goodwill reinstated in respect of closure of businesses
Amounts deducted in respect of shares issued to the QUEST (see note 24)
Retained (loss)/profit for the year
Exchange differences on foreign currency translation

At 31 March

3,359.4
1.9
(1.3)
(20.3)
(1.3)
–
(257.0)
13.3

3,276.7
1.9
74.2
–
24.4
(1.1)
0.1
(16.8)

2,983.5
1.9
–
(20.3)
–
–
(281.6)
–

2,886.5
1.9
74.2
–
–
(1.1)
22.0
–

3,094.7

3,359.4

2,683.5

2,983.5

Shareholders’ funds at 31 March – all equity

4,645.4

4,905.3

4,232.6

4,530.4

Cumulative goodwill of £430.2m (last year £428.9m) arising on the acquisition of US (last year US and Spanish) subsidiaries has
been written off against the profit and loss account reserve. As permitted by FRS10, this goodwill has not been reinstated in the
balance sheet and remains written off to reserves.

40 Marks and Spencer p.l.c.

Notes to the financial statements

26. Reconciliation of movements in Group shareholders’ funds

Profit attributable to shareholders
Dividends

Other recognised gains and losses relating to the year
New share capital subscribed
Amounts deducted from profit and loss account reserve in respect of shares issued to the QUEST
Purchase of own shares
Goodwill transferred to profit and loss account on closure of businesses

Net (reduction)/addition to shareholders’ funds
Shareholders’ funds at 1 April

Shareholders’ funds at 31 March

27. Reconciliation of operating profit to net cash inflow from operating activities

Operating profit
Exceptional operating charges (see note 4A)

Operating profit before exceptional charges
Depreciation
Decrease in stocks
Increase in customer advances
Decrease in other debtors
Increase in creditors

Net cash inflow before exceptional items
Exceptional operating cash outflow (see note 28A)

Net cash inflow from operating activities

28. Analysis of cash flows given in the cash flow statement

A Exceptional operating cash flows
UK redundancy costs paid
European restructuring costs paid

Exceptional operating cash outflow

B Returns on investments and servicing of finance
Interest received
Interest paid
Dividends paid to minorities

Net cash inflow from returns on investments and servicing of finance

C Taxation
UK corporation tax paid
Overseas tax paid

Cash outflow for taxation

D Capital expenditure and financial investment
Purchase of tangible fixed assets
Sale of tangible fixed assets
Purchase of fixed asset investments
Sale of fixed asset investments

Net cash outflow for capital expenditure and financial investment

2001
£m

1.3
(258.3)

(257.0)
11.6
7.1
–
(20.3)
(1.3)

The Group

2000
£m

258.7
(258.6)

0.1
(13.8)
11.8
(1.1)
–
24.4

(259.9)
4,905.3

4,645.4

21.4
4,883.9

4,905.3

2001
£m

440.5
26.5

467.0
275.9
14.7
(117.8)
43.8
23.1

706.7
(30.3)

676.4

2001
£m

(29.5)
(0.8)

(30.3)

13.1
–
(0.5)

12.6

The Group

2000
£m

471.0
72.0

543.0
261.6
40.3
(206.2)
0.9
51.1

690.7
(49.2)

641.5

The Group

2000
£m

(44.7)
(4.5)

(49.2)

17.8
(2.0)
(0.6)

15.2

(164.5)
(0.1)

(164.6)

(143.5)
(2.2)

(145.7)

(269.8)
18.9
(18.0)
10.7

(258.2)

(447.5)
266.0
(1.9)
16.4

(167.0)

28. Analysis of cash flows given in the cash flow statement (continued)

E Acquisitions and disposals
Closure of Canadian operations
Sale of Splendour.com Ltd
Repayment of loan by joint venture
Acquisition of minority interest

Cash inflow/(outflow) for acquisitions and disposals

F Management of liquid resources
Decrease in cash deposits treated as liquid resources
Net purchase of government securities
Net purchase of listed investments
Net sale of unlisted investments
Net decrease/(increase) in short-term deposits

Cash inflow/(outflow) from decrease/(increase) in liquid resources

G Financing
Increase in bank loans, overdrafts and commercial paper treated as financing
(Redemption)/issue of medium term notes
Decrease in other creditors treated as financing

Debt financing as shown in analysis of net debt (see note 29)
Purchase of own shares
Shares issued under employees’ share schemes

Net cash (outflow)/inflow from (decrease)/increase in financing

29. Analysis of net debt

Net cash:
Cash at bank and in hand (see note 18C)
Less: deposits treated as liquid resources (see below)

Bank loans, overdrafts and commercial paper (see note 21B)
Less: amounts treated as financing (see below)

Net cash per cash flow statement

Liquid resources:
Deposits included in cash (see above)
Current asset investments (see note 16)

Liquid resources per cash flow statement and note 28F

Debt financing:
Bank loans, overdrafts and commercial paper treated as financing (see above)
Medium term notes (see note 21B)
Other creditors (see note 21B)

Debt financing (see note 28G)

Net debt

www.marksandspencer.com 41

2001
£m

(0.9)
(0.8)
7.6
–

5.9

135.5
(67.5)
(0.3)
2.0
194.0

263.7

76.0
(310.8)
(11.1)

(245.9)
(20.3)
0.8

(265.4)

The Group

2000
£m

(15.4)
–
0.5
(6.2)

(21.1)

18.4
(5.0)
(12.9)
31.0
(194.0)

(162.5)

2.3
254.3
(5.7)

250.9
–
9.4

260.3

At 1 April
2000
£m

Cash flow
£m

Exchange At 31 March
2001
movement
£m
£m

301.1
(160.1)

141.0

(469.0)
382.0

(87.0)

54.0

160.1
386.4

546.5

(382.0)
(1,386.5)
(83.4)

(1,851.9)

(149.2)
135.5

(13.7)

(50.5)
76.0

25.5

11.8

(135.5)
(128.2)

(263.7)

(76.0)
310.8
11.1

245.9

2.5
(0.4)

2.1

(15.3)
13.7

(1.6)

0.5

0.4
1.8

2.2

154.4
(25.0)

129.4

(534.8)
471.7

(63.1)

66.3

25.0
260.0

285.0

(13.7)
(9.4)
–

(471.7)
(1,085.1)
(72.3)

(23.1)

(1,629.1)

(1,251.4)

(6.0)

(20.4)

(1,277.8)

42 Marks and Spencer p.l.c.

Notes to the financial statements

30. Commitments and contingent liabilities

A Commitments in respect of properties in the course of development
B Guarantees by the Company in respect of debt instruments issued 

by subsidiaries

C Guarantees made in the ordinary course of business on behalf of 

overseas subsidiaries

2001
£m

54.6

–

–

The Group

The Company

2000
£m

103.9

–

–

2001
£m

44.8

2000
£m

101.1

1,716.6

1,780.8

121.3

129.2

D Marks and Spencer (Ireland) Limited and its subsidiary Aprell Limited have availed themselves of the exemption provided
for in S17 of the Companies (Amendment) Act 1986 (Ireland) in respect of the documents required to be annexed to their
annual returns.

E Other material contracts: 

In the event of a material change in the trading arrangements with certain warehouse operators, the Company has a
commitment to purchase fixed assets, at values ranging from historical net book value to market value, which are currently
owned and operated by them on the Company’s behalf.

F Commitments under operating leases:

At 31 March 2001 annual commitments under operating leases were as follows:

Expiring within one year
Expiring in the second to fifth years inclusive
Expiring in more than five years

The Group

The Company

Land &
buildings
£m

4.5
29.2
87.4

121.1

Other
£m

1.4
1.8
–

3.2

Land &
buildings
£m

0.7
2.1
44.5

47.3

Other
£m

1.2
1.2
–

2.4

31. Foreign exchange rates
The principal foreign exchange rates used in the financial statements are as follows (local currency equivalent of £1):

Euro1
US dollar
Hong Kong dollar
Japanese yen

Sales Average Rate

Profit Average Rate

Balance Sheet Rate

2001

2000

2001

2000

2001

2000

1.63
1.48
11.54
163.67

–
1.62
12.57
177.16

1.62
1.47
11.59
163.54

–
1.61
12.51
175.88

1.62
1.43
11.11
178.50

1.67
1.60
12.43
163.91

1Prior year sales and profits were translated using exchange rates for legacy currencies and a weighted average exchange rate for the Euro has therefore not
been calculated.

32. Related party transactions
There were no material transactions with related parties as defined by FRS8, ‘Related Party Transactions’.

Group financial record
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH

Profit and loss account1,2
Turnover:

General
Foods
Financial Services

Total turnover (excluding sales taxes)

Retailing
Financial Services

Operating profit

United Kingdom
Europe (excluding UK)3
North America
Far East
Excess interest charged to cost of sales of Financial Services

Total operating profit
Analysed as:

Before exceptional operating (charges)/income
Exceptional operating (charges)/income

Retailing
Financial Services
Excess interest charged to cost of sales of Financial Services

Loss on operations to be discontinued
Loss on closure of businesses
(Loss)/profit on disposal of property and other fixed assets
Net interest income

Profit before taxation
Taxation on ordinary activities
Minority interests

Profit attributable to shareholders
Dividends

(Loss)/profit for the year

Balance sheet1
Intangible fixed assets
Tangible fixed assets
Fixed asset investments
Current assets

Total assets
Creditors due within one year

Total assets less current liabilities
Creditors due after more than one year
Provisions for liabilities and charges

Net assets

www.marksandspencer.com 43

2001
£m
52 weeks

2000
£m
53 weeks

1999
£m
52 weeks

1998
£m
52 weeks

1997
£m
52 weeks

4,413.5
3,299.1
363.1

8,075.7
7,712.6
363.1

4,629.6
3,201.3
364.6

8,195.5
7,830.9
364.6

404.6
(11.4)
32.0
7.4
7.9

440.5

467.0
(26.5)

336.3
96.3
7.9

(224.0)
(1.7)
(83.2)
13.9

145.5
(142.7)
(1.5)

1.3
(258.3)

(257.0)

472.7
(14.8)
16.4
(3.3)
–

471.0

543.0
(72.0)

355.1
115.9
–

–
(45.4)
(22.3)
14.2

417.5
(158.2)
(0.6)

258.7
(258.6)

0.1

4,765.1
3,110.3
348.6

8,224.0
7,875.4
348.6

565.1
(90.8)
15.7
(3.5)
25.5

512.0

4,811.4
3,157.1
274.8

8,243.3
7,968.5
274.8

1,014.1
31.9
16.7
18.3
22.7

1,103.7

4,601.7
3,024.1
216.1

7,841.9
7,625.8
216.1

931.3
37.3
20.7
32.7
–

1,022.0

600.5
(88.5)

1,050.5
53.2

1,022.0
–

375.8
110.7
25.5

–
–
6.2
27.9

546.1
(176.1)
2.1

372.1
(413.3)

(41.2)

991.6
89.4
22.7

–
–
(2.8)
54.1

1,155.0
(338.7)
(0.4)

815.9
(409.1)

406.8

–
3,964.8
69.7
3,401.5

7,436.0
(2,345.0)

5,091.0
(187.2)
(31.0)

946.3
75.7
–

–
–
(1.8)
65.9

1,086.1
(346.1)
(1.3)

738.7
(368.6)

370.1

–
3,412.0
36.6
3,203.0

6,651.6
(1,775.1)

4,876.5
(495.8)
(31.8)

–
4,118.9
58.3
3,516.2

7,693.4
(1,981.6)

5,711.8
(735.1)
(315.7)

1.3
4,242.1
55.0
3,717.1

8,015.5
(2,162.8)

5,852.7
(804.3)
(126.6)

–
4,387.5
61.2
3,355.9

7,804.6
(2,029.8)

5,774.8
(772.6)
(105.0)

1Restated for 1998 and prior years for the change in accounting policy relating to the depreciation of fit out.
2Restated for 1997 to include turnover and operating profit by destination, the results of the captive insurance company within turnover and cost of sales and
the results of the treasury company within net interest income.
31999 reflects £64.0m provision for impairment of fixed assets.

4,661.0

4,921.8

4,897.2

4,872.8

4,348.9

44 Marks and Spencer p.l.c.
44 Marks and Spencer p.l.c.

Group financial record
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH

Cash flow1
Net cash inflow from operating activities
Returns on investments and servicing of finance
Taxation
Capital expenditure and financial investment
Acquisitions and disposals
Equity dividends paid

Cash inflow/(outflow) before management of liquid

resources and financing
Management of liquid resources
Financing

Increase/(decrease) in cash

Increase in net debt defined by FRS1

Key performance measures1

Gross margin2,3

Net margin2,3

Gross profit

Turnover

Operating profit

Turnover

Net margin excluding exceptional items4

Profitability2

Profit before tax

Turnover

Profitability excluding exceptional items5

Earnings per share
(Defined by FRS14)

Standard earnings6

Weighted average ordinary
shares in issue

2001
£m
52 weeks

2000
£m
53 weeks

1999
£m
52 weeks

1998
£m
52 weeks

1997
£m
52 weeks

676.4
12.6
(164.6)
(258.2)
5.9
(258.6)

13.5
263.7
(265.4)

11.8

26.4

641.5
15.2
(145.7)
(167.0)
(21.1)
(413.5)

(90.6)
(162.5)
260.3

7.2

69.8

472.3
29.0
(345.9)
(628.1)
1.0
(412.6)

(884.3)
180.6
505.0

(198.7)

967.7
56.1
(342.3)
(788.3)
2.6
(325.8)

(430.0)
226.6
307.4

104.0

862.3

380.8

903.1
65.4
(318.6)
(419.1)
(0.2)
(305.6)

(75.0)
91.3
64.7

81.0

35.5

35.1%

34.1%

33.4%

35.2%

34.9%

5.4%

5.7%

1.8%

6.0%

5.7%

6.6%

5.1%

6.8%

5.9%

13.1%

13.0%

7.0%

12.5%

13.0%

6.6%

14.0%

13.8%

7.6%

13.4%

13.9%

0.0p

9.0p

13.0p

28.6p

26.1p

Earnings per share adjusted for exceptional items

11.4p

13.2p

15.6p

27.4p

26.2p

Earnings per share
(Defined by IIMR)

Dividend per share

Dividend cover

Return on equity2

Headline earnings7

Weighted average ordinary
shares in issue

Profit attributable to shareholders

Dividends

Profit after tax and minority interests

Average shareholders’ funds

10.7p

11.4p

15.0p

28.7p

26.2p

9.0p

9.0p

14.4p

14.3p

13.0p

0.0

1.0

0.9

2.0

2.0

0.0%

5.3%

7.6%

17.8%

17.9%

Capital expenditure1

£255.7m £450.6m £683.1m £750.2m £431.6m

1Restated for 1998 and prior years for the change in accounting policy relating to the depreciation of fit out.
2Based on results reported as continuing operations.
3Based on segmental results.
4Figures for 2001 exclude exceptional operating charges of £26.5m. Figures for 2000 exclude exceptional operating charges of £72.0m. Figures for 1999
exclude exceptional operating charges of £88.5m. 1998 excludes exceptional operating income of £53.2m.
5Excludes operating exceptional items referred to in (4) above together with non-operating exceptional items.
6Standard earnings are defined as profit after tax and minority interests.
7Headline earnings are standard earnings adjusted for certain capital items.