British clothing and food retailer Marks & Spencer said on Monday it planned to open 20 new bigger stores in its 2023-24 financial year as part of a £480 million ($587 million) investment in its store estate.
It said the investment would generate over 3,400 new jobs across the United Kingdom.
Store Estate Overhaul
Last October, M&S set out plans to accelerate a radical overhaul of its store estate, what it calls its store rotation programme, delivering what was an initial five year plan within three years by 2025-26.
The plan involves reducing the number of full line M&S stores by 67, leaving 180 higher quality, higher productivity stores that sell the group's full clothing, home and food offer, while increasing its food only stores by 104 to 420.
“Stores are a core part of M&S’s omni-channel future and serve as a competitive advantage for how customers want to shop today," said Stuart Machin, chief executive, Marks & Spencer.
"Our store rotation programme is about making sure we have the right stores, in the right place, with the right space."
Christmas Trading
Last week, M&S reported better-than-expected Christmas trading.
The retailer reported strong Christmas sales, with demand for turkeys helping to deliver its highest ever share of the food market and party-wear boosting its clothing sales.
It's high-end food offer traditionally appeals to shoppers at Christmas, and 2022 was no exception despite increasing economic pressure on consumers.
Read More: UK's M&S Reports Strong Christmas Sales In Food And Clothing
News by Reuters, edited by Donna Ahern, Checkout. For more retail stories, click here. Click subscribe to sign up for the Checkout print edition.
