BRITS keen on a cheap summertime garden upgrade could eye off Marks and Spencer as it slashes prices on its current range.
The retailer has launched a big sale online with its furniture collection to be axed by autumn.
The Sun in April revealed M&S was set to ditch bulky own-brand pieces of furniture, including garden furniture.
Now shoppers can snap up items on a 30 per cent discount, which could mean saving hundreds of pounds.
The sale includes the stylish “rattan effect” six-seat round garden table and chairs, selling for £1189.30 – slashed 30 per cent off its previous tag of £1699 – leaving customers £509.70 better off.
Alternatively, buyers in the market for garden living sets could look to the “marlow 7 seater rattan effect” option, which is also £1189.30 for the same savings.
The 30 per cent party continues with the garden “bestseller” – two garden armchairs – for £90.30 rather than £129, nearly a £40 saving.
Also marked down 30 per cent is the “Melbourne 6 seater garden corner sofa set” for those keen on entertaining in outdoor spaces over summer.
Quick customers can claim it for £699.30, £300 off the previous £999.
The website has a list of 26 other garden armchairs, benches, sofas and tables all for 30 per cent off.
Along with garden furniture, M&S is also pulling the pin on own-brand beds, sofas, wardrobes and dining tables – meaning they’re all on sale too.
The best-selling item from the fire-sale is the Hastings Bed, up for £239.20 for single size and £359.20 for king.
The latter is 20 per cent off, cutting the price by £89.80.
Meanwhile, the spacious “Nord” triple wardrobe is listed at £909.30, 30 per cent off the previous £1299 for a bumper saving of £389.70.
Following the big sale of its own-brand items, M&S plans to instead work with third-party brands on furniture.
It already stocks furniture from Kettler and Royalcraft.
They are, however, sold exclusively online.
The retailer will keep selling its own smaller items like accent chairs and coffee tables.
THE Sun’s consumer reporter Olivia Marshall gives her verdict on M&S’ decision to axe its furniture range.
M&S has been following Next’s example by selling-third party brands on its website, including Adidas, Clinique and Seasalt.
It first started doing this around three years ago and it has helped the retailer to stay relevant and compete in an ever-changing market.
All third-party brands are available to buy online and some are available to buy at M&S’ larger stores.
It’s even gone as far to say that it would be interested in buying other brands that would fit its business.
These kind of deals make M&S attractive for shoppers who may not have otherwise considered buying from M&S.
M&s has previously been accused of being too slow to spot trends.
With this in mind, it’s not surprise that M&S has decided to roll-out this successful model to its furniture offering too.
M&S will continue to sell its own-brand furniture, but with a focus on smaller furniture items, and complemented by third-party brands.
Customers were confused over the move when it was announed.
Writing in the Marks & Spencer UK – Fans/Have Your Say Facebook group, one customer said: “Oh dear, that is sad. All our dining furniture is from M&S , and our kitchen chairs.
“I wonder why that is. That will be less to look at in stores.”
A second added said: “Very sad. I sold furniture for 27 years at the Fosse Park store and loved every minute!”
While another user chimed in with: “Very sad! All of my furniture is M&S! A bad decision in my opinion.”
But an M&S spokesperson in April told The Sun: “While we have a fantastic range of home products, we want to bring even more newness and great value, stylish product to our customers’ homes.
“To do this, we will range fewer large, own-brand furniture products and expand our range of key pieces like accent chairs, side, and coffee tables; working with third party brands to complete our offer.”
