Marks & Spencer is a large, established British retailer of apparel, housewares, and food products. The company has a large workforce. As part of the company's benefits package, employees receive a discount of 30 percent off all purchases of apparel.
a. What are the advantages and disadvantages of offering a 30 percent discount off company merchandise?
b. What are the advantages and disadvantages of offering a 30 percent discount off apparel, but not housewares and food products? Why do you think the company differentiates between apparel and other products?