M&S hires star designer to take on John Lewis

Marks & Spencer has vowed to give its homewares business a makeover following a successful fashion revival.

The high street favourite has shaken up its clothes after years of dull collections, and even featured Sienna Miller in campaigns last year.

Now one of Britain’s best-known interior designers, Miller’s former stepmother Kelly Hoppen, has joined her star-studded collection with a range for the home.

Speaking to the Mail ahead of its launch next Thursday, M&S clothing and home boss Richard Price said the company was focusing all its “energy on taking forward our core home business, where we believe there is much more opportunity”.

The comments came as M&S shares rose 0.8%, or 2.8p, to 344.7p, their highest level in more than seven years.

Next week’s push in homeware follows the launch of autumn clothing ranges, as featured in yesterday’s Mail.

Price said fashion will remain the main focus of the stores, but home goods, where many products are sold online, will also “come along for the ride.”

The tie-up with Hoppen comes as M&S seeks to boost homeware sales and win business from rivals such as John Lewis and Next.

John Lewis has long been a middle-class favourite for everything from lighting and bedding to glasses and vases, while Next has made huge strides in this area in recent years.

Hoppen’s designs for M&S range from £5 candle holders to a £129 lamp and a £149 bedspread. “It’s been an amazing experience, creating homewares that really have something for everyone,” said Hoppen.

“Working with such a much-loved brand has been a dream come true.” Buoyed by a strong food business and a fashion revival, M&S is back to full steam ahead under the leadership of Stuart Machin and chairman Archie Norman.

It returned to the FTSE 100 last year after a four-year absence and its shares have almost quadrupled in value in less than two years, making it worth more than £7bn.

As major lenders cut mortgage rates, boosting optimism among homeowners and buyers, retailers expect demand for home goods to rise.

Price said design teams have been tasked with making products like plates and glasses more elegant.

M&S has also stopped stocking bulky furniture such as sofas and beds in store, although it still sells online through third-party partners.

And while business is doing well in bath and bedding products, Price said there was an opportunity to strengthen other areas such as draperies and lighting.

M&S wants to increase its clothing and home market share to 10.6% by 2028, up from 9.6% in 2023.

Last year it won praise for its push into fashion through its “boho chic” ranges designed by Miller, whose father Edwin was married to Hoppen from 1989 to 2003.