Exciting things are happening at Bermuda's Marks & Spencer, one of the oldest and most successful retail stores in the world. The moment you walk into the Reid Street Store soft pastels dance before your eyes and there is a lighter, more spacious feeling all around.

The Bermuda store has existed for 38 years and in 1996 it was acquired by the English Sports Shop who appointed Bruce Robinson as the general manager.

Mr. Robinson said: "Marks & Spencer's success has endured due to the continuous focus on quality, value and service around the globe.

"We are continually upgrading the store to reflect the new market trends and the merchandise this year is more colourful, lighter in weight and more appropriate for our Bermuda customer.'' The practise of offering the best merchandise at the fairest of prices is quite evident at Marks & Spencer.

Impeccable service is offered by the friendly, full time staff of 14 who all are eager to assist clients.

Mr. Robinson thinks very highly and is supportive of his staff.

"The part of my job which I like most is helping people and passing on my knowledge about the retail business to hopefully enrich lives and maximise their full potentials.

"This gives me satisfaction - to know that I have helped someone. My job is to help my team achieve our goals and build on delivering great customer service.'' Mr. Robinson has a strong background in retail, 37 years and in management for 29 years. His first job was at age 12 when he worked as a stock boy for the English Sports Shop.

He is a sales oriented person who likes to work and meet people so he has remained in retail and looks over all the departments at Marks & Spencer.

"Tom Smith and David Hamshere, the past and present presidents of the English Sports Shop, taught me different disciplines and could be called my mentors.'' "Retail in Bermuda is a very tough business due to the decline in tourism and Internet/overseas shopping.

"The biggest factor affecting Bermuda retail, in my opinion, is the human resource side of the business. It is very difficult to find qualified or willing Bermudians to fill sales and management positions.

"We are committed to putting the customer first and delivering a level of service to meet each customers needs. However, this is a challenge with the labour force we have to pick from. We do have good staff working for us but we need more of them,'' Mr. Robinson said.

One of the major achievements of Marks & Spencer here has been the expansion of the business in 1996 from 4,000 square feet to the present size of 6,500 feet.

The ladies wear section is where classic and contemporary meet and new arrivals are coming in each day.

There is a new department - Plus Size, offering sizes from 18 to 30.

Marks & Spencer offers an array of beautiful, light, spring merchandise in Ladies perfect for Mother's Day. Cool capris, lovely linens and fresh florals are just a sampling for ladies who want to look special.

Also new is the nursery department where they have everything from blankets to bumpers and a fresh group of children's' wear from newborn to 12 years.

"What you see in our store, you cannot find anywhere else in Bermuda, you may not even find some of our products in the UK as we source them from the European buying office.'' Luggage is on special now. If you buy one piece that's 10 percent off, two pieces 15 percent off or three or more pieces take 20 percent off.

Special gift baskets can be arranged from toiletries to lingerie to chocolates and champagne, with superb food items such as nuts, cans of curried meats, pastas and sauces.

A background on the story of Marks & Spencer Few stores achieve the illustrious success of Britain's international Marks & Spencer. They have hundreds of stores around the world from Abu-Dhabi, Europe to Hong Kong.

Marble Arch, the company's flagship store opened in Oxford Street, London 1930.

Michael Marks, founder of Marks & Spencer emigrated from Russian Poland to England in the early 1880s and began trading in Yorkshire, England as a pedlar.

By 1884 the Russian refugee hired an open stall in Kirkgate market, Leeds and it was called `Marks' Penny Bazaar'.

During 1894 Marks formed a partnership with Tom Spencer, a cashier from the wholesale company I.J. Dewhirst. Isaac Dewhirst was a wholesaler who as a young man lent Michael Marks five pounds to purchase stock from his Leed's warehouse.

The firm of I.J. Dewhirst became manufacturers and remains suppliers of Marks & Spencer to this day.

Simon Marks, the son of Michael and Hannah Marks, was born in a poor district of Leeds in 1888 and he became "...the greatest merchant prince England ever produced.'' Simon developed the chain of Penny Bazaars formed by this father and his father's partner, Tom Spencer, into the enormously successful retail business that we know today.

He pioneered a revolution in retailing quality control, and bought directly from the manufacturer. Appointed chairman at the age of only 28, Simon Marks led and directed the fortunes of the company for nearly half a century.

Marks & Spencer won the Queen's Award for Technological Achievement for the second time in 1996 and the Queen's Award for export achievement in 1993 and 1995.

They sell innovative goods of high quality made to its specifications and sold under the exclusive St. Michael brand name. The Group has the highest profit of any retailer in Europe.

Meet the Marks & Spencer team: From the left: Joy Whalley, Kiona Estravit, Vernita Young, Suzanne Taylor, Patrica Dill, Anna Benevides, Michelle Farrell, Maureen Bartley, Georgia Burgess, Marita Hinds and Bruce Robinson, general manager. Marks & Spencer Limited became a public company in 1926 but its origin dates back to 1884. The Bermuda store is 38 years old.