Marks & Spencer is rolling its Opticians service to 55 stores over the next 18 months.
The decision follows an initial trial in five stores, during which the service is said to have received a strong customer satisfaction rating.
Recent openings at Longbridge (Birmingham), Metro Centre (Gateshead), Hedge End & West Quay (both Southampton), Bluewater (Dartford) and Culverhouse Cross (Cardiff) have already started the rollout and increased the M&S Opticians footprint to 12 stores, with a further 43 to follow over the period to April 2023.
All 55 branches will be operated by opticians and hearing care provider Owl Optical, part of the Scrivens Group of Companies, with a range of M&S branded and third-party branded frames on offer.
M&S stated that the Opticians were part of its strategy to diversify its customer offer and introduce relevant services that give consumers more reasons to shop at M&S. Furthermore, the retailer wants to utilise excess space available across its store estate.
Sacha Berendji, Group Property, Store Development and IT Director at M&S said: “We know our customers trust us to deliver first-rate specialist services – whether it’s a suit-fit for a big occasion or a bra fit appointment with one of our expert colleagues – and M&S Opticians is just the latest example of this.
“Feedback from our trial showed that customers loved the convenience of having an Opticians within our store, and we’re really excited to be introducing the service to more stores across the UK and giving customers even more reasons to shop at M&S.”
NAM Implications:
- Golden rule in retail:
- ’try it and if it works…’
- i.e. anticipate a quick roll-out to 55 stores for M&S.
- (with other mults unlikely to remain on the sidelines)
- And McKesson sell-offs revitalised under new asset management.
