UK | Marks & Spencer announced investment in twelve new food stores, some with over 20k sq ft of trading space, on former Homebase sites across England, creating over 550 new jobs.
It marked a significant step forward in M&S’s store rotation and renewal programme, focused on having the right stores in the right place with the right space. It is a key strand in the business’ transformation as it reshaped for growth.
Store rotation and renewal aim to create 420 bigger, fresher Food stores and a more productive group of 180 Full-Line stores, with half of the estate expected to be in the renewal format by 2027/28.
Last year, M&S opened six food and two full-line stores and renewed nine existing stores.
The new Food stores averaged about 15k sq ft, enabling more customers to shop the full range. In a strong year, food sales outperformed the target by about 20 percent.
Two new Full Line stores at Dundee and Washington Galleries opened, with Fashion, Home, and Beauty sales trading 15 percent ahead of plan. Fosse Park was extended during the year, with Fashion, Home, and beauty sales up 20 percent versus last year.
M&S plans to open ten food stores and two full-line stores this year. A number of other stores will be updated to the renewal format.
As part of its annual results this week, M&S announced that returns on new and renewed stores have been above the hurdle rates overall, trading ahead of plan for three consecutive years.
The new stores will include:
- Abingdon 18k sq foot food hall expected to open in late 2025
- Cannock 18k sq foot food hall expected to open in late 2025
- Farnham 18k sq foot food hall expected to open in spring 2026
- Godalming 22k sq foot food hall expected to open in summer 2026 – the largest standalone Food store to date
- Northampton 16k sq foot food hall expected to open in summer 2026
All new Food stores are thoughtfully designed with customers in mind and will carry the full range of M&S Food products. They feature the latest in-store designs to bring customers more of the M&S Food range, with market-style fruit and vegetables, large bakeries with fresh coffee to go, and Click & Collect counters for orders from the wider fashion, home, and beauty range online.
The features of M&S renewal stores include:
- Larger car parks make access to the store easier
- Bright and welcoming entrances with fresh Farm to Foodhall produce front and centre
- Brand-new Coffee Bakery where customers can grab a coffee while they shop, and at the same time pick up a freshly baked Collection Sourdough Loaf
- Wider, more spacious aisles to ensure an easy and enjoyable journey as they explore the full M&S range
- Expanded frozen sections that cater to every occasion, from breakfast to dessert and everything in between
All the new M&S stores will contribute to delivering on its Plan A commitments using the latest technology to run more energy-efficient stores with LED lighting and natural refrigerant fridges and freezers.
“Investing in new and renewed stores is one of our key transformation priorities,” said M&S CEO Stuart Machin.
“Securing these highly desirable sites in priority locations will accelerate this strategy, drive further growth in our M&S food business and most importantly give our customers the best possible M&S shopping experience.”
All store plans are subject to planning permission.
