Sale of Brooks Brothers

Marks & Spencer PLC
23 November 2001

23 November 2001

           MARKS & SPENCER ANNOUNCES SALE OF BROOKS BROTHERS, INC.

Marks and Spencer p.l.c. today announces the sale of Brooks Brothers, Inc. to
Retail Brand Alliance, Inc., a privately owned US speciality retailer, for
$225 million in cash. The transaction is subject only to regulatory approvals
and is expected to close by the end of the financial year.

The sale is a further step in the restructuring programme announced in March
to sell or close all non-strategic or loss-making businesses, enabling the
organisation to focus on Marks & Spencer's core UK businesses. Although the
sale processes for the two US businesses - Brooks Brothers and Kings Super
Markets - have been delayed by the events of 11 September, both are expected
to be completed within the original timeframe.

At the half year to September 2001, the operating loss of Brooks Brothers,
adjusted for the minority interest entitlement of Brooks Brothers Japan, was
$3.7m (£2.6m). This compares to the operating profits of the last two full
years to March of $24.1m (£16.3m) in 2001, and $9.4m (£5.8m) in 2000. At the
half year to September 2001, the Brooks Brothers net assets to be disposed of
were $225m (£153m).

Commenting on the transaction, David Norgrove, Marks & Spencer International
Director, said:

'Brooks Brothers has a wonderful American heritage and a committed workforce,
but it was not a good fit with Marks & Spencer's core business or strategic
priorities. As the markets for both general trading and corporate transactions
in the US remain very difficult, we are pleased to have come to this
agreement. Retail Brand Alliance is in a better position to develop Brooks
Brothers to its full potential.'

                                     ENDS

For more information, please contact:

Corporate Press Team:      020 7268 1919

Investor Relations:        020 7268 4195

Note:

Retail Brand Alliance consists of three established brands: Casual Corner
Group, a women's speciality retailer which includes Casual Corner, Petite
Sophisticate, August Max and Casual Corner Annex brands; Carolee, a designer
of jewelry for department stores and speciality stores; and Adrienne
Vittadini, a designer of women's clothing and accessories.