The high street retailer is spending £200 million to introduce initiatives that will promote energy efficiency, ethical trading and sourcing of sustainable products, while also developing plans to reduce its carbon emissions and use of landfill waste sites.

Commentators have warned that the additional costs associated with providing eco-friendly, ethical goods might push consumers away. This is depsite findings from Opinion Leader Research (OLR) suggesting that consumers are prepared to pay more for environmentally friendly products and services, and Marks and Spencer arguing that 97% of its customers are demanding more responsible retailing.

The BBC believes this move "says something quite significant about the future orientation of British business".