Marks and Spencer wants to expand its Food stores offering (Image: Alan Morris via Getty Images)
Marks and Spencer has revealed plans for a new flagship store as part of its ambitious expansion strategy. The retail giant is set to open an extensive supermarket at SouthGate, Bath on February 4, as it works towards doubling its overall size.
The high street stalwart has identified 500 potential sites for new and refurbished Food stores, forming part of its bold vision to double the scale of its food operation. By the end of the financial year in April, the company plans to launch or renovate 20 stores, generating 800 new positions and accelerating its estate transformation programme.
The forthcoming 83,000 sq ft Bath flagship will showcase the “very best” in food, fashion, home and beauty offerings, according to the retailer. Store Manager Natalie Jordan commented: “We are counting down the days to reveal our showstopping store next month. Our customers deserve the very best of M&S and our new location will deliver just that, with new products to explore and guaranteed trusted value and quality.”
She continued: “The team and I have been busy getting ready for the move and we’ve welcomed 40 new joiners which has been fantastic.
“It’s a hugely exciting time for us here in Bath and we can’t wait to welcome local residents and visitors to the city alike.”
As the retailer prepares for expansion, its strategy centres on securing premises with appropriate space in optimal locations. The objective remains to double its food business whilst modernising its property portfolio.
In a bid to attract more customers for their weekly shop, M&S is set to supersize its Food stores, offering an expanded range of products. The firm has seen promising results from new M&S Food stores launched in the past three years.
Consequently, it’s broadening its site search to include locations where there isn’t currently an M&S store, such as Hove, Marlborough and Wallingford. These fresh outlets will showcase the latest renewal format, featuring an extended range of M&S Food, wider aisles for larger shopping trolleys, and expansive car parks to cater to more family shoppers.
The Food store in Selby, which opened its doors on Three Lakes retail park last year, has surpassed expectations, delivering above-average food market share growth in the region, according to the Mirror.
M&S is scouting for new locations, with 500 potential sites earmarked to roll out its proven store format. By April 2028, over half of the M&S stores, including convenience ones, are projected to adopt this new format.
Alex Freudmann, Managing Director of M&S Food, stated: “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. With more than twenty 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.”
This strategic move follows a significant dent in the company’s profits due to a major cyber attack earlier this year. The digital assault led to a drastic 40% drop in online home and fashion sales when the company was compelled to halt website orders.
The retail titan reported that its underlying pre-tax profits took a 55.4% tumble to £184.1 million in the six months leading up to 27 September. On a reported basis, profits nearly evaporated, plummeting to £3.4 million from £391.9 million the previous year.
M&S has disclosed that the cyber attack cost the company a hefty £324 million in lost sales, slightly exceeding its initial estimate of £300 million. However, it managed to claw back £100 million in the first half of the year through an insurance payout.
Locations for new M&S stores.
North West and West London.
1. Acton.
2. Baker Street.
3. Belgravia.
4. Belsize Park.
5. Brent Cross Town.
6. Brentford.
7. Brondesbury.
8. Chalk Farm and Primrose Hill.
9. Childs Hill.
10. Cricklewood.
11. East Finchley.
12. Eastcote.
13. Edgware.
14. Finchley.
15. Finchley Road.
16. Gloucester Road.
17. Golders Green.
18. Hampstead.
19. Hanwell.
20. Harrow Weald.
21. Hatch End.
22. Hendon.
23. High Barnet.
24. Hillingdon.
25. Holland Park.
26. Ickenham.
27. Isleworth.
28. Kensal Green.
29. Kensal Rise.
30. Kentish Town.
31. Kenton.
32. Knightsbridge.
33. Ladbrooke Grove / Portobello Road.
34. Maida Vale.
35. Mill Hill East.
36. Moor Park.
37. New Barnet.
38. North Harrow.
39. North Putney Bridge.
40. North Watford.
41. Northfields.
42. Northwood.
43. Northwood Hills.
44. Osterley.
45. Parsons Green.
46. Pimlico.
47. Preston Road.
48. Queens Park.
49. Rayners Lane.
50. Ruislip.
51. Ruislip Manor.
52. Shepherds Bush.
53. Shepperton.
54. South Ealing.
55. South Kensington.
56. St Johns Wood.
57. Stanmore.
58. Sunbury.
59. Warren Street / Euston Square.
60. Wembley Stadium / Wembley Park.
61. West Ealing.
62. Westbourne Grove.
63. Willesden Green.
The City, NE and SE London.
1. Aldgate.
2. Barking Station.
3. Barkingside.
4. Bethnal Green.
5. Blackheath.
6. Bounds Green.
7. Brockley.
8. Buckhurst Hill.
9. Camberwell.
10. Canning Town.
11. Chigwell.
12. Chingford.
13. Cockfosters.
14. Collier Row.
15. Crofton Park.
16. Crouch End.
17. Denmark Hill.
18. Dulwich.
19. Dulwich Village.
20. Elm Park.
21. Emerson Park.
22. Enfield Chase.
23. Forest Gate / Wanstead Park.
24. Forest Hill.
25. Gants Hill.
26. Gidea Park.
27. Greenwich.
28. Greenwich Peninsula.
29. Hackney Wick.
30. Hainault.
31. Harold Hill.
32. Harold Wood.
33. Harringay.
34. Highams Park.
35. Highbury.
36. Highgate.
37. Hither Green.
38. Honor Oak.
39. Hornchurch.
40. Hornsey.
41. Ilford Station.
42. Kidbrooke.
44. Leyton.
45. Meridian Water.
46. Mile End.
47. Mottingham.
48. New Cross.
49. Newbury Park.
50. North Enfield.
51. Palmers Green.
52. Shooters Hill.
53. Shoreditch.
54. South Romford.
55. South Woodford.
56. Stoke Newington.
57. Surrey Quays / Canada Water.
58. Sydenham.
59. Tufnell Park.
60. Turnpike Lane.
61. Upminster.
62. Upper Walthamstow.
63. Walthamstow.
64. Wapping.
65. Whitechapel Station.
66. Winchmore Hill.
67. Woodford.
South London and West End.
1. Abbey Wood.
2. Addlestone.
3. Balham.
4. Banstead.
5. Barnes.
6. Biggin Hill.
7. Blackfen.
8. Burgh Heath.
9. Carshalton.
10. Caterham.
11. Cheam.
12. Chertsey.
13. Chessington.
14. Chislehurst.
15. Clapham.
16. Claygate.
17. Cobham.
18. Coulsdon.
19. Crayford.
20. Crystal Palace / Upper Norwood.
21. Dartford.
22. East Bromley.
23. East Putney.
24. East Sheen.
25. Egham Hythe.
26. Elmers End.
27. Esher.
28. Ewell.
29. Gipsy Hill.
30. Hackbridge.
32. Hampton.
33. Hanworth.
34. Hayes : Bromley.
35. Herne Hill.
36. Hersham.
37. Kingswood.
38. Locksbottom.
39. Lower Morden.
40. Molesey.
41. Morden.
42. New Malden.
43. Nine Elms.
44. North Cheam.
45. Oxshott.
46. Penge.
47. Petts Wood.
48. Raynes Park.
49. Sanderstead.
50. Selsdon.
51. South Orpington.
52. St Margarets.
53. Stoneleigh.
54. Surbiton.
55. Tadworth.
56. Thames Ditton.
57. Tooting Bec.
58. Vauxhall.
59. Wallington.
60. Walton-on-Thames.
61. Wandsworth.
62. Warlingham.
63. Welling.
64. Weybridge.
65. Whitton.
66. Wimbledon Chase.
67. Wimbledon Village.
68. Worcester Park.
1. Anniesland.
2. Bishopbriggs.
3. Bridge Of Don Aberdeen.
4. Broughty Ferry.
5. Clarkston.
6. Coatbridge Faraday.
7. Craigleith.
8. Cults / Garthdee.
9. Cumbernauld.
10. Dumbarton.
11. Dumfries.
12. Dunblane.
13. Dunfermline.
14. Elgin.
15. Ellon.
16. Glenrothes.
17. Inveralmond Perth.
18. Inverness.
19. Inverurie.
20. Irvine.
21. Kings Park Glasgow.
22. Kingsgate East Kilbride.
23. Lanark.
24. Leith.
25. Livingston.
26. Milngavie.
27. Montrose.
28. Morningside Edinburgh.
29. St Andrews.
30. Stonehaven.
31. Uddingston.
32. Westhill.
Midlands and North East.
1. Aldridge.
2. Ashbourne.
3. Balsall Common.
4. Belper.
5. Bingley.
6. Birstall.
7. Bishop Auckland.
8. Blyth / Ashington.
9. Boldon / Harton.
10. Bridgnorth.
11. Brighouse.
12. Bromsgrove.
13. Chilwell / Bramcote.
14. Cleveland Middlesbrough.
15. Congleton.
16. Consett.
17. Cortonwood Barnsley.
18. Cramlington.
19. Dorridge.
20. Driffield.
21. Ecclesall Road.
22. Great Barr Birmingham.
23. Grimsby.
24. Guisborough.
25. Hartlepool.
26. Hexham.
27. Holmfirth.
28. Ilkley.
29. Kidderminster.
30. Knaresborough.
31. Louth.
32. Mansfield.
33. Mosborough.
34. Netherfield Nottingham.
35. Northallerton.
36. Norton College Sheffield.
37. Pontefract.
38. Princess Park, Birmingham.
39. Quinton.
40. Redditch.
41. Richmond.
42. Rugeley.
43. Scarborough.
44. Scunthorpe.
45. Sleaford.
46. South Doncaster.
47. Stourbridge.
48. Team Valley Gateshead.
49. The Springs Leeds.
50. Thirsk.
51. Trentham.
52. Wakefield Rd Huddersfield.
53. Wednesbury.
54. West Huddersfield.
55. West Park Darlington.
56. Wetherby.
57. Whitley Bay.
58. Wickersley.
59. Wolverhampton.
60. Wombourne.
North West.
1. Abergele.
2. Altrincham.
3. Ashton-in-Makerfield.
4. Bamber Bridge / Clayton.
5. Barrow.
6. Bromborough.
7. Burnley.
8. Buxton.
9. Chorley.
10. Clitheroe.
11. Didsbury.
12. Frodsham.
13. Garstang.
14. Glossop.
15. Hale Barnes.
16. Knutsford.
17. Lancaster.
18. Leigh.
19. Lytham.
20. Market Drayton.
21. Marple.
22. Menai / Bangor.
23. Middlewich.
25. North East Bolton.
26. Northwich.
27. Oldham.
28. Ormskirk.
29. Oswestry.
30. Penrith.
31. Prescot.
32. Prestwich.
33. Rawtenstall.
34. Stockton Heath.
35. Ulverston.
36. Upton.
37. West Cheadle.
38. Widness.
39. Workington.
Midlands/East Anglia.
1. Ashby De La Zouch.
2. Basildon.
3. Bedford, South.
4. Benfleet/ Leigh-on-Sea.
5. Bicester.
6. Billericay.
7. Bishop Stortford.
8. Braintree.
9. Brentwood.
10. Corby.
11. Daventry.
14. Fletchamstead, Coventry.
15. Flitwick.
16. Grantham.
17. Great Dunmow.
18. Great Yarmouth.
19. Harlow.
20. Hertford.
21. Holt/ Cromer.
22. Huntington.
23. Kenilworth.
24. Kettering.
25. Leicester, North.
26. Letchworth.
27. Loughborough.
28. Lutterworth.
29. Maldon.
30. Market Harborough.
31. Martlesham Heath, Ipswich.
32. Melton Mowbray.
33. Newmarket.
34. North Cambridge.
35. North Norwich.
36. Northampton, West.
37. Nuneaton/Hinckley (A5).
38. Oadby.
39. Potters Bar.
40. Putnoe – Bedford.
41. Rayleigh.
42. Royston.
43. Saffron Walden.
44. South Cambridge.
45. Spalding.
46. Stamford.
47. Sudbury.
48. Towcester.
49. Westway Chelmsford.
50. Witham.
51. Woodham Ferrers.
52. Wymondham/Cringleford.
Home Counties.
1. Acorn Park Crawley.
2. Ascot/ Sunningdale.
3. Ashford.
4. Aylesbury.
5. Berkhamsted.
6. Billinghurst.
7. Bognor Regis.
8. Borough Green.
9. Buckingham.
10. Burgess Hill.
11. Calcot Reading.
12. Canterbury.
13. Chalfont St Peter.
14. Chineham, Basingstoke.
15. Cranleigh.
16. Crowborough.
17. Dover.
18. East Grinstead.
19. Farnborough.
20. Fetcham/ Leatherhead.
21. Fleet.
22. Folkestone.
23. Harpenden.
24. Haslemere.
25. Haywards Heath.
26. Hazlemere.
27. Heathfield, East Sussex.
28. Hemel Hempstead.
29. Henley-on-Thames.
30. Herne Bay.
31. Hook, Hampshire.
32. Leighton Buzzard.
33. Lewes.
34. Marlow.
35. Marshalswick, St Albans.
36. North Brighton.
37. Oxted.
38. Petersfield.
39. Princes Risborough.
40. Reigate.
41. Rustington.
42. Seaford.
43. South Reading.
44. Storrington.
45. Strood SF.
46. Thame.
47. Tonbridge.
48. Tring.
49. Wendover.
50. West Basingstoke.
51. West Woking.
52. Whitstable.
53. Windsor.
54. Wokingham/ Arborfield.
55. Woodley Reading.
56. Worthing.
57. Wycombe Marsh.
South West and Wales.
1. Abergavenny.
2. Aberystwyth.
3. Andover.
4. Bath, West.
5. Bishops Waltham.
6. Blandford Forum.
7. Bodmin.
8. Bridgend.
9. Bridgwater.
10. Broadstone.
11. Caerphilly.
12. Carmarthen.
13. Chandler’s Ford.
14. Chepstow.
15. Chippenham.
16. Chipping Norton.
17. Cirencester.
18. Clevedon.
19. Cwmbran.
20. Devizes.
21. Dursley.
22. East Exeter.
23. Emersons Green.
24. Evesham.
25. Exmouth.
26. Falmouth.
27. Ferndown.
28. Frome.
29. Gloucester Brockworth.
30. Headington.
31. Henleaze.
32. Honiton.
33. Ilminster.
34. Imperial, Bristol.
35. Llanishen, Cardiff.
36. Locks Heath/Fareham.
37. Lyme Regis/Axminster (A35).
38. Monmouth.
39. Mumbles.
40. North Dorchester.
41. North Neath.
42. Ocean RP Portsmouth SF.
43. Penarth.
44. Pentwyn.
45. Plymstock/ Sherford.
46. Pontarddulais.
47. Porthcawl.
48. Portishead.
49. Radstock/Midsomer Norton.
50. Ringwood/Verwood.
51. St Austell.
52. Stroud / Nailsworth.
53. Summertown.
54. Talbot Green.
55. Teignmouth.
56. Tiverton.
57. Trowbridge.
58. Waterlooville.
59. Wellington.
60. Weston Super Mare.
61. Winscombe.
62. Witney.
