Women challenge Marks & Spencer bra pricing policy
By GREGORY KATZ, Associated Press Writer Writer 1 hr 2 mins ago

LONDON – Busty women have banded together to battle Britain's largest
clothing retailer over a surcharge for extra-large brassieres.
Frustrated with failed attempts to convince Marks & Spencer to drop a 2
pound ($3) extra charge for sizes DD and larger, the women plan to take
their fight to the company's annual meeting.

"They aren't listening to customers, maybe they'll listen to
shareholders," said Beckie Williams, a founder of Busts 4 Justice who
has purchased a share of M&S stock so she can attend the meeting.
"People think it would be great to have big boobs, but it's an emotional
issue, it can make you feel isolated, and shopping at Marks & Spencer
can make you feel like a freak when they charge you extra."

The group, which has grown to several thousand members via Facebook,
seems to have tapped into a reserve of resentment.

"Women have kept this to themselves," Williams said. "The outpouring has
to do with women venting their frustration."

The issue is important for M&S, which has long sold mid-priced underwear
to a large segment of the British population. The venerable institution
is positioned between high-class lingerie shops like Rigby & Peller
(which has the queen's imprimatur) and bargain-priced chains like Primark.

The company says the extra engineering and material needed for a large
size bra justify the markup, but the women say the policy is unfair,
especially since clothing stores do not charge more for extra large
pants, socks, or men's briefs.

The issue has simmered for nearly 10 months, but erupted several days
ago when M&S officials publicly rebuffed calls to change policy,
prompting several female columnists to complain.

Prominent TV personality Ulrika Jonsson wrote Thursday in the Daily Mail
that the M&S policy is misguided.

"There aren't enough negative adjectives to describe how much I hated
having big boobs," said Jonsson, who recently had breast reduction
surgery. "So the suggestion that I'd have to pay over the odds for a
bigger bra is not only appalling; it's deeply insulting."

*** Britain's cleavage-friendly tabloid press jumped into the fray
Thursday, with The Sun taking an editorial stance against the extra
charge. The newspaper quoted some of its Page Three girls — who usually
appear topless in the popular feature — denouncing the surcharge as
discriminatory. ***

The newspaper illustrated its article with photos of prominent,
bikini-clad show business personalities who would have to pay the
surcharge if shopping at M&S.

M&S spokeswoman Jessica Harris said in a statement that it would be
impossible to cut prices on large-size bras without reducing quality.

"At DD and above, the weight of a woman's breast requires additional
support, fabric and structure in a bra and from our years of experience
we know it's critical not to cut corners on this," she said.

The conflict has given other retailers a chance to cut into M&S'
traditionally strong hold on the British underwear market. A number of
specialty online retailers are offering larger size bras — winning
praise from Busts 4 Justice — and the retail chain ASDA is emphasizing
its "one price for all" strategy.

"Why should bigger busted women be penalized?" said Leah Watson,
spokeswoman for George, the in-house ASDA brand. "Obviously the majority
of women can't choose their shape. People who are shopping on a budget
shouldn't have to pay more to look good or to feel good."

She said the company loses money by selling oversize bras for as little
as 4 pounds ($6), but does not want larger women to be charged extra.



Page 3 gals:


http://www.page3.com/girl/keeley_haz...age=23&speed=5

HK wrote:
Women challenge Marks & Spencer bra pricing policy
By GREGORY KATZ, Associated Press Writer Writer 1 hr 2 mins ago

LONDON – Busty women have banded together to battle Britain's largest
clothing retailer over a surcharge for extra-large brassieres.
Frustrated with failed attempts to convince Marks & Spencer to drop a 2
pound ($3) extra charge for sizes DD and larger, the women plan to take
their fight to the company's annual meeting.

"They aren't listening to customers, maybe they'll listen to
shareholders," said Beckie Williams, a founder of Busts 4 Justice who
has purchased a share of M&S stock so she can attend the meeting.
"People think it would be great to have big boobs, but it's an emotional
issue, it can make you feel isolated, and shopping at Marks & Spencer
can make you feel like a freak when they charge you extra."

The group, which has grown to several thousand members via Facebook,
seems to have tapped into a reserve of resentment.

"Women have kept this to themselves," Williams said. "The outpouring has
to do with women venting their frustration."

The issue is important for M&S, which has long sold mid-priced underwear
to a large segment of the British population. The venerable institution
is positioned between high-class lingerie shops like Rigby & Peller
(which has the queen's imprimatur) and bargain-priced chains like Primark.

The company says the extra engineering and material needed for a large
size bra justify the markup, but the women say the policy is unfair,
especially since clothing stores do not charge more for extra large
pants, socks, or men's briefs.

The issue has simmered for nearly 10 months, but erupted several days
ago when M&S officials publicly rebuffed calls to change policy,
prompting several female columnists to complain.

Prominent TV personality Ulrika Jonsson wrote Thursday in the Daily Mail
that the M&S policy is misguided.

"There aren't enough negative adjectives to describe how much I hated
having big boobs," said Jonsson, who recently had breast reduction
surgery. "So the suggestion that I'd have to pay over the odds for a
bigger bra is not only appalling; it's deeply insulting."

*** Britain's cleavage-friendly tabloid press jumped into the fray
Thursday, with The Sun taking an editorial stance against the extra
charge. The newspaper quoted some of its Page Three girls — who usually
appear topless in the popular feature — denouncing the surcharge as
discriminatory. ***

The newspaper illustrated its article with photos of prominent,
bikini-clad show business personalities who would have to pay the
surcharge if shopping at M&S.

M&S spokeswoman Jessica Harris said in a statement that it would be
impossible to cut prices on large-size bras without reducing quality.

"At DD and above, the weight of a woman's breast requires additional
support, fabric and structure in a bra and from our years of experience
we know it's critical not to cut corners on this," she said.

The conflict has given other retailers a chance to cut into M&S'
traditionally strong hold on the British underwear market. A number of
specialty online retailers are offering larger size bras — winning
praise from Busts 4 Justice — and the retail chain ASDA is emphasizing
its "one price for all" strategy.

"Why should bigger busted women be penalized?" said Leah Watson,
spokeswoman for George, the in-house ASDA brand. "Obviously the majority
of women can't choose their shape. People who are shopping on a budget
shouldn't have to pay more to look good or to feel good."

She said the company loses money by selling oversize bras for as little
as 4 pounds ($6), but does not want larger women to be charged extra.



Page 3 gals:


http://www.page3.com/girl/keeley_haz...age=23&speed=5


I'm tellin yur moma.

"jim78565" wrote in message
...

HK wrote:
Women challenge Marks & Spencer bra pricing policy
By GREGORY KATZ, Associated Press Writer Writer 1 hr 2 mins ago



Page 3 gals:


http://www.page3.com/girl/keeley_haz...age=23&speed=5

I'm tellin yur moma.


Oh well. There went another half hour of my life.

Eisboch

Eisboch wrote:

"jim78565" wrote in message
...

HK wrote:
Women challenge Marks & Spencer bra pricing policy
By GREGORY KATZ, Associated Press Writer Writer 1 hr 2 mins ago



Page 3 gals:


http://www.page3.com/girl/keeley_haz...age=23&speed=5


I'm tellin yur moma.


Oh well. There went another half hour of my life.

Eisboch



Not to worry; *I* won't tell Mrs. Eisboch where your mouse has been.

On Thu, 07 May 2009 16:37:09 -0400, HK wrote:



http://www.page3.com/girl/keeley_haz...age=23&speed=5


Pretty old-fashioned with no plastic.
Traditional.
But I'm no expert on this.

--Vic

Vic Smith wrote:
On Thu, 07 May 2009 16:37:09 -0400, HK wrote:


http://www.page3.com/girl/keeley_haz...age=23&speed=5


Pretty old-fashioned with no plastic.
Traditional.
But I'm no expert on this.

--Vic


Keeley is the real deal.