M&S has published a list of 500 “target locations” for “new or renewed” Food stores across the country, from Elgin in Moray to Falmouth in Cornwall.
The 500 “potential locations” include areas where there is not yet an M&S, such as Hove, Marlborough and Wallingford. The list also includes 200 locations across London.
M&S said it was “particularly looking” for large sites that could stock its full food range, with a target size of 18,000 sq ft.
M&S is due to open 20 new or renewed stores between November and March, creating 800 jobs. The retailer is working toward previously announced plans to have 420 Food stores by 2028, up from up from 316 when it announced the strategy in 2023. In the same timeframe, it is reducing its number of full-line stores from 247 to 180, while replacing weaker branches with new ones in its ‘renewed’ format.
The renewed format includes bigger Food Halls with wider aisles for shopping trolleys and larger car parks for more family shoppers. Over half of its estate is expected to be in the renewed format by April 2028.
This summer, M&S announced its acquisition of 12 Homebase sites, which are set to be among its largest Food stores, with the first set to open before Christmas in Cannock.
“The strong performance of our new M&S Food stores gives us the confidence to explore even more locations across the UK, from Elgin to Exmouth,” said M&S Food MD Alex Freudmann.
“With more than 20 stores opening or modernised before the end of the financial year, we are moving faster.
“Our team want new sites where we could open a large M&S Food store as we deliver on our strategy to bring the right stores to the right places and offer the best shopping experience, range and availability for our customers.”
M&S has continued to grow grocery sales ahead of the market, despite being hit by a major cyberattack in April. Its grocery sales were up 8.8% year on year in the 12 weeks to 2 November, making it the second fastest-growing bricks & mortar retailer after Lidl, according to latest Worldpanel data.
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