M&S Food is continuing its expansion with the opening of six new or transformed stores between now and the end of the year.
This week saw the launch of a new 5,300 sq. ft. fresh market-style foodhall on Southampton Street in Covent Garden, accompanied by the reopening of M&S’ Temple Fortune and Wimbledon foodhalls, following major revamps.
Two additional new store openings are planned for next month in Clapham Common and on Fulham Broadway.
Meanwhile, a renewed M&S store in Chiswick will launch in early December.
The openings are part of a £90m investment in London announced by the retailer earlier this year, spanning six new foodhall openings and eleven renewals during its current financial year.
M&S’ renewals programme includes the introduction of several new features, including in-store bakery & coffee counters, a market-style produce offer with fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as dedicated Flower and Wine shops and an overhauled store environment.
“We want to be proud of every store we have across the capital, and as we reshape for growth, our focus is opening new stores to grow our footprint, but also renewing those stores where we can deliver a better shopping experience for our customers,” said Thinus Keeve, Retail Director at M&S.
“It’s brilliant to have such a strong property pipeline across London in the months ahead. We want to bring more of that M&S magic to communities and on the commute, and we’re doing just that, just in time for the festive season.”
Last month, M&S Food appointed A.F. Blakemore & Son as its new primary wholesale partner for third-party branded products. The move brought to an end M&S’s 15-year+ branded supply deal with Tesco-owned Booker.
NAM Implications:
- M&S is patently expanding its footprint to meet perceived consumer need.
- Worth watching rival retailers’ reaction to the possible impact on their business.
- And for suppliers, climbing aboard early…
