Marks & Spencer Group plc — Ethics Grade B-

Marks & Spencer Group plc receives an overall ethics grade of B- (62/100) on CancelCo's corporate accountability database. Sector: Retail. Market cap: Large Cap.

Category scores

• labor: 58
• privacy: 80
• consumer: 70
• environment: 75
• humanRights: 55

Documented incidents (3)

• Uyghur Forced Labor Allegations (high, 2021) — M&S was named in reports investigating links between global fashion brands and forced labor in the Xinjiang region of China. While the company signed a call to action to end forced labor, its supply chain complexity remained a point of scrutiny.
• Greenwashing Environmental Claims (medium, 2022) — Changing Markets Foundation criticized M&S and other retailers for making misleading sustainability claims about 'recyclable' or 'green' clothing lines when most items still ended up in landfills.
• Mass Store Closures and Job Losses (medium, 2023) — Restructuring plans led to the closure of over 60 'full line' stores globally, impacting thousands of retail employees. Unions criticized the lack of adequate consultation regarding long-term job security for veteran staff.

Documented good deeds

• Plan A Sustainability Program — M&S has achieved zero-waste-to-landfill status for its UK operations since 2012 and continues to set industry-leading targets for plastic reduction.

Ethical alternatives

• Patagonia — Industry leader in circular economy and supply chain transparency.