<P> M&S 's profits peaked in the financial year 1997 / 1998 . At the time it was seen as a continuing success story , but with hindsight it is considered that during Sir Richard Greenbury 's tenure as head of the company , profit margins were pushed to untenable levels , and the loyalty of its customers was seriously eroded . The rising cost of using British suppliers was also a burden , as rival retailers increasingly imported their goods from low - cost countries , but M&S 's belated switch to overseas suppliers undermined a core part of its appeal to the public . Another factor was the company 's refusal until 2001 to accept any credit cards except its own chargecard . </P>
<P> M&S 's profits peaked in the financial year 1997 / 1998 . At the time it was seen as a continuing success story , but with hindsight it is considered that during Sir Richard Greenbury 's tenure as head of the company , profit margins were pushed to untenable levels , and the loyalty of its customers was seriously eroded . The rising cost of using British suppliers was also a burden , as rival retailers increasingly imported their goods from low - cost countries , but M&S 's belated switch to overseas suppliers undermined a core part of its appeal to the public . Another factor was the company 's refusal until 2001 to accept any credit cards except its own chargecard . </P>
when did marks and spencer start accepting credit cards
when did marks and spencer start accepting credit cards
2001
2001