As Marks and Spencer announced a drop in UK like-for-like sales of 5.9%; with falls in GM and food at 6.9% and 5% respectively, how much time does  Ian Dyson really have to implement the ‘2020’ change program that he has been tasked with?    

Marks & Spencer’s UK sales have dropped by 1.7%, whilst its overall sales grew by 0.4%, thanks to the 25.9% increase in international sales.  Last year, the adjusted profit before tax was £1.09bn whilst this year’s results see a drop to £768.9m.

The Board has taken the last six months to review the business and layout its long term strategy.  Ian Dyson has been entrusted with the responsibility of leading the ‘2020-Doing the Right Thing’ change program, which is set to refocus the Company’s brand communication, accelerate change, focus on international expansion and multi-channel development.

As the Group’s final dividend for 2008/09 has been reduced to 9.5p, how long does Dyson and Sir Stuart Rose really have to deliver a positive step change that their customers will respond too?