Businessman. A co-founder of Marks and Spencer merchandizing chain, he was born in Slonim, Russia and came as a penniless refugee from the anti-Semitic pogroms there to Stockton-on-Tees in 1881. Starting with a peddler's tray he followed fairs and markets hawking his wares until 1884 when he was lent five pounds by Isaac Dewhirst that enabled him to set up a trestle stall in an open market at Leeds. Within ten years he was operating eight penny bazaars. He still used the wording he had on his peddler's tray: "Don't Ask the Price - It's a Penny:" a marketing phrase that he kept for many years, originated to solve his language problem. He went into partnership in 1894 with Tom Spencer, who had been Dewhirst's cashier. With continued success he was living a happy family life in Manchester when he died suddenly of a heart attack on New Year's Eve. He had married Hannah Cohen in 1886 and his son Simon, later to become Lord Marks of Broughton, fought successfully to keep the business in the family.
Businessman. A co-founder of Marks and Spencer merchandizing chain, he was born in Slonim, Russia and came as a penniless refugee from the anti-Semitic pogroms there to Stockton-on-Tees in 1881. Starting with a peddler's tray he followed fairs and markets hawking his wares until 1884 when he was lent five pounds by Isaac Dewhirst that enabled him to set up a trestle stall in an open market at Leeds. Within ten years he was operating eight penny bazaars. He still used the wording he had on his peddler's tray: "Don't Ask the Price - It's a Penny:" a marketing phrase that he kept for many years, originated to solve his language problem. He went into partnership in 1894 with Tom Spencer, who had been Dewhirst's cashier. With continued success he was living a happy family life in Manchester when he died suddenly of a heart attack on New Year's Eve. He had married Hannah Cohen in 1886 and his son Simon, later to become Lord Marks of Broughton, fought successfully to keep the business in the family.
Bio by: s.canning
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