Insurance and no further

The British public may have turned away from Marks & Spencer clothes, but M&S food and home furnishings show improved results year on year. And now they're joined by M&S insurance products, which claim a satisfaction rating higher than Direct Line and Prudential.

So what is it about the clothes? Is it the funny collars on men's shirts? Or the anti-tear stitching on breast pockets which make them look naff? Or the overwhelming “Miss Sensible” feel of the women's ranges? Whatever the reason – we'll eat the food, we'll buy the furniture, and we'll even insure ourselves with M&S. But the clothes? Too, too suburban.