The Real Mannequin Challenge with Marks & Spencer Cork

Monday, November 28th, 2016

“It really annoyed me when I heard an ill-informed person on the radio ‘championing’ low paid and low skilled retail workers, as it is very far from the truth. Retail is highly skilled, incredibly varied, very rewarding and well remunerated.” – that was the message Eileen Savage, HR Manager, M&S Cork, had for St. Patrick’s College students.

The Cork flagship store welcomed over 30 students for a behind the scenes tour after business hours. The girls met the section managers, learned about the importance of VM (visual merchandise to you and me), how to fully utilise footfall through the store, the importance of customer service as well as the highly regulated food department of the business.

Career progression in M&S is incredibly varied, giving options for specialising. Travel, flexible working and business supported training & development are just some of the benefits available to M&S employees. “No two days are the same” – said Eileen.

The tour was a great insight for the students, “we’d only thought about the cookies and chocolate milk before” – said one student. Well cookies are important too and the students are really looking forward to the rest of the programme.