Wednesday, May 20, 2009

1p Knickers at M&S Bonanza

Marks & Spencer is offering customers a range of 20 products for just 1p each to celebrate its 125th Birthday.

The store began life in 1884 when Michael Marks, a Russian-born Polish refugee, opened a stall in Leeds Kirkgate market. As he didn't speak English he put up a sign reading: "Don't ask the price, it's a penny".

So to mark its 125th birthday, M&S is going back its roots by offering a range of special "Penny Bazaar" products for just 1p. The celebratory products include jewellery, scarves, ties, socks and more.

"M&S started off in life as a Penny Bazaar back in 1884, so what better way to share our birthday with our customers than offering them the chance to choose M&S products for just one penny?" asked M&S chairman Stuart Rose.

M&S Penny Bazaar jewellery  (Image © Marks & Spencer)

The offer is available for just three days from Wednesday May 20 to Friday May 23. More than 300 M&S stores will participate, but the deals are on a strictly first-come, first-serve basis. The 1pm range will not be available at M&S Simply Food or Outlet stores or at franchise stores at BP Connect forecourts, railway stations, airports or Moto motorway service stations.

"We've got two million one penny products available, but my best advice to our customers is to get to M&S stores as early as you can," Rose said.

M&S Penny Bazaar tie (Image © Marks & Spencer)

Yes, you really can pick up anything in this range for just a penny: but the price is simply a suggestion. Every, ahem, penny made from this promotion is going straight to the M&S 125 Charity Challenge.

The charity drive is aiming to make £1.25 million for local and regional charities over the next five months, so if you want to pay more for your bargains you can, knowing the cash is going to a good cause. Additionally, as these products are more or less being given away, M&S's normal refund policy does not apply.

M&S Penny Bazaar tie cufflinks (Image © Marks & Spencer)

Customers can select up to five products from the Penny Bazaar range each day of the sale. The first 700,000 people who queue outside stores will be given a free "peel and reveal" prize card.

The prizes on offer include cash jackpots of £12,500, the chance to buy products from the M&S 125 range (rather than the 20-product Penny Bazaar range) for 1p and discounts on clothing ranges.

Stores are opening at their normal trading hours.

What's on offer
M&S Penny Bazaar scarf (Image © Marks & Spencer)

Here's the full range of M&S products being sold for 1p:

  • Five different jewellery sets
  • Scarves
  • Purses
  • Knickers
  • Cufflinks
  • Ties
  • Socks
  • Leather passport holders
  • Leather luggage tags
  • Tea towels
  • Mugs
  • Bags of retro sweets
  • Cans of retro drink
  • Beach toys
  • Beach balls

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