Marks was born into a Polish Ashkenazi Jewish family in Słonim, in what was then the multinational Russian Empire (now Grodno Region, Belarus).

Marks also made the decision to rent an area at the new covered market in Leeds, which traded six days of the week.

Over the next few years, Marks expanded his business and opened similar stalls in covered market halls all over Yorkshire and Lancashire.

Spencer had developed some important contacts while working for Isaac Dewhirst, and these allowed him to get the best prices for goods by dealing directly with the manufacturers.

Together, Spencer and Marks were able to open stores in Manchester, Birmingham Liverpool Middlesbrough, Sheffield, Bristol, Hull Sunderland and Cardiff.

Michael Marks continued to develop the business until his death at Knolls House, 396 Bury New Road, Salford, on 31 December 1907.