Morrisons’ convenience store estate has burst through the 50-store barrier.

The supermarket has recently opened three new M local stores, bringing the total number of c-stores in its portfolio to 52.

Two of the stores – in Littlehampton and Clapham - opened today, and the third, in Derby, opened on 19 September. The trio are the latest c-store openings by Morrisons, which recently opened M local stores in York, Windsor and Kilmarnock.

“We are now rolling out our convenience stores at pace: today 52 Morrisons M locals are up and running. By the end of the year, we will have 100 stores, supported by 2,000 M local colleagues – and we plan to double this number again in 2014”, said Morrisons CEO Dalton Philips.

“In parallel, we’ve been laying down the supporting infrastructure to support our growth. We’ve opened a convenience Distribution centre in Feltham near London to service the south.  And next month we’ll open a convenience distribution centre at Bury which will service our northern convenience stores.”

“We are bringing something new to this format as a result of our focus on value and fresh food”, he added.

Morrisons, which opened its first M local store in 2011, said its convenience format was expanding at a rate of between two and six new stores each week.

“This is a fantastic landmark for everyone at Morrisons,” said HR director for new business development, Mandy Flatley.

“We’re delighted to have welcomed 1,000 new recruits to the team across 50 M local sites in all corners of the UK. But it doesn’t stop here. We have ambitious plans to grow our convenience business, so now is a really exciting time to join us”.

The retailer has created 1,000 jobs since the first M local opened, and plans to create a further 1,000 jobs by the end of the year.

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