Cheaper and easier to buy a bra at your supermarket

The story remains the same but the details have changed: as usual, Marks & Spencer has revealed declining sales, only this time it blames its lingerie and its womenswear.

This is surprising, because womenswear has been looking much stronger. The lingerie, on the other hand, is a far less visible part of the stores' display.

In the Nineties, M&S sold more knickers per second that any other retailer on the high street.

And signing up sexy designer brand Agent Provocateur ensured the store catered for higher-end customers as well as the woman wanting a three-pack of cotton briefs.

So what went wrong? Increased competition has stolen M& S's crown. Supermarket lingerie brands have been damaging: they are cheaper and easy to pop in your trolley.

Online shopping is sure to have had an effect too. Now you can buy a push-up bra from the privacy of your own bedroom, why go to M&S?