M&S announced a £50 million investment in stores across the North west of England for the year ahead, creating 300 jobs and 100,000 total new square footage across its store estate in the area.
The investment is another step forward in M&S’s store renewal and rotation programme, focussed on having the right stores in the right places and is a key strand in the business’s transformation as it reshapes for growth.
At its half-year results, M&S announced that its store rotation programme is picking up pace as new and renewed stores are trading well, with relocations of Full Line stores more productive and renewal stores able to offer a full M&S Food range.
The investment, which is spread across the next three financial years, will see three stores across the North west renewed to the latest format and five brand new stores in new locations so customers can do their weekly food shop with M&S.
Will Smith, Property Director at M&S, said:
“As we reshape for growth, we want to open new stores we can be proud of and that deliver the best possible shopping experience for customers. Our pipeline of stores for 2025 demonstrates our continued investment in market-leading stores as we deliver our transformation priorities. We have the opportunity in the North west of England to continue investing in market-leading stores, as part of our renewal and rotation strategy, offering great quality products with that touch of M&S magic and the trusted value our customers expect and deserve.
“M&S already has many local supplier partnerships such as Park Cakes in Oldham who make the customer-favourite Colin the Caterpillar cakes, and these new stores will help showcase their products and support jobs throughout the supply chain.”
M&S has 62 owned stores across Northwest England – spanning the region from Carlisle to Chester, as well as an additional 25 M&S stores in hospitals and travel settings including rail and fuel stations. This latest round of investment will enable the retailer to reach even more customers in the North west, delivering the very best of M&S with the latest store design and new in-store technology to offer a seamless omnichannel experience for customers. All new store plans are subject to planning permission.
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