Stirling Group customers are said to shine with character, at least in terms of their style of dress. Stirling Group designs apparel, particularly knitwear and lingerie, and accessories for distribution through retailers, including Marks and Spencer, for whom Stirling has sourced lingerie since 1947. It has operations in India, Morocco, Turkey, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and China. In 2005 the company opened one retail outlet in Manchester, selling factory surplus and seconds. After being listed on the London Stock Exchange for a quarter century, executives decided in 2003 to take Stirling Group private to boost potential for future growth.