fb

ACCA SUMMER SALE 20% OFF

Dividends – do you want them in cash or clothes?

Dividends – do you want them in cash or clothes?

Despite being one of the best known names on the retail market, Marks & Spencer is unusual.

M&S is unusual in that it has got a very high proportion of individual shareholders.

Whilst a lot of other companies have major corporate shareholders such as pension and investment funds, M&S has over 190,000 private investors who between them hold 30% of the shares.

M&S has just announced an extremely novel idea involving these individual shareholders and their next dividend payment. The individual shareholders will be offered the chance to exchange their dividends for M&S vouchers at a 10% discount. In other words, they can exchange a dividend of £900 for M&S vouchers of £1,000.

That’s a very nice idea.

It’s optional and not compulsory so if individual shareholders still want to receive the dividend in cash they can.

Shareholders however who are interested in buying items from M&S get more for their money and from M&S’s point of view, given that their gross profit margin is more than 10%, they will still be making a profit on items that they sell to holders of these vouchers.

All in all a very innovative idea which works well for all parties.

Will we see this idea spreading to other companies when considering their dividend payments?

Share this entry

Recent articles

View All Articles
It’s all hands on deck moving from Big 4 to 4 people…
Jun 17, 2025
Title
It’s all hands on deck moving from Big 4 to 4 people…
Excerpt

When multinational companies switch auditors, it’s usually a move that signals routine rotation, cost management, or strategic realignment. […]

From whisky to wickets…
Jun 16, 2025
Title
From whisky to wickets…
Excerpt

Diageo, the global drinks giant behind brands like Guinness, Smirnoff and Johnnie Walker, is reportedly considering a sale […]

“Just Build It” – the Nike LEGO collaboration
Jun 12, 2025
Title
“Just Build It” – the Nike LEGO collaboration
Excerpt

Nike and LEGO are teaming up to launch co-branded products and experiences aimed at inspiring kids through active […]

Laziness and intelligence.
Jun 12, 2025
Title
Laziness and intelligence.
Excerpt

Whilst a lot of you won’t admit to being lazy (and I’m sure most of you aren’t in […]

The road to electric cars is full of potholes…
May 28, 2025
Title
The road to electric cars is full of potholes…
Excerpt

The electric vehicle (EV) market has seen tremendous growth in recent years, with major car manufacturers and startups […]

Is the stage set for airline pricing at the theatre?
May 26, 2025
Title
Is the stage set for airline pricing at the theatre?
Excerpt

Imagine paying £300 for a theatre ticket, only to find there’s more to pay if you want to […]

WeightWatchers files for bankruptcy as drugs take over…
May 12, 2025
Title
WeightWatchers files for bankruptcy as drugs take over…
Excerpt

Weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy have revolutionised the weight management market, leaving companies which were once dominant […]

A whole new world: Disney’s Middle East move
May 08, 2025
Title
A whole new world: Disney’s Middle East move
Excerpt

The Walt Disney Company has announced its first-ever theme park in the Middle East, set to be built […]