Think of Marks & Spencer and what comes to mind? Ready meals and underwear. It's an image the high street retailer has tried to banish in recent years with the launch of several new clothing lines and high profile advertising campaigns starring everyone from Twiggy to their latest signing, Bryan Ferry. The strategy seems to be working, with the chain reporting encouraging sales growth despite tough trading conditions. It all adds up to good news for jobseekers — M&S announced the recruitment of an extra 4,000 staff to meet demand and help to expand its food chain this summer. University-leavers can apply for the M&S graduate programme, which lasts a year. Open to just 100 graduates in 2007, the majority of placements are in-store, with a few in HR, IT and buying and merchandising. Most roles are UK-based, although buyers average two weeks’ travel a quarter.

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Company website: Marks & Spencer

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