Marks & Spencer acquires stake in Nobody’s Child
Following a positive first year partnership, Marks & Spencer has taken a 25% stake in the Nobody’s Child fashion brand.
Nobody’s Child will continue to operate as an independent business following the acquisition, but will now be able to access M&S’s investment and infrastructure to scale its business.
M&S said it will benefit from the agility of Nobody’s Child, including its focus on near-sourcing supply.
As the partnership evolves, there will be further opportunities for collaboration between the brands, including developing fashion and design talent and sustainability initiatives.
The move forms part of the ‘Brands at M&S’ strategy which uses different models including wholesale agreements, exclusive collaborations, strategic acquisitions and investments.
M&S now trades with over 30 partners including the likes of Sloggi, Ghost and Clarks. It is also investing in smaller retailers via the True fund which has recently seen the retailer bring Cornish-based kidswear brand Frugi onto M&S.com.
Richard Price, managing director of M&S Clothing & Home, said: “We’re shaping the future of M&S Clothing – the strength of our own-brand product, our broad customer base and the reach of M&S.com makes us an attractive platform partner. In turn, introducing brands helps us become more relevant, more often for our 22 million customers – offering them a convenient and seamless shopping experience.”
He added: “Nobody’s Child was the first brand to launch on M&S.com and has proved incredibly popular with new and existing M&S customers. We will continue to collaboratively develop the offer on our site, whilst now supporting the brand to grow independently as part of the M&S Family.”
