British multinational retailer Marks & Spencer (M&S) has widened its search for new and revamped food outlet sites.
It has published a list of 500 possible locations across the UK as it pushes ahead with an accelerated overhaul of its store estate.
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The retailer is focusing on larger units to underpin its ambition to double the size of its food operation, with a new standard store size of around 18,000ft².
The refreshed list of target locations includes towns where M&S does not currently trade, such as Hove, Marlborough and Wallingford.
Between November 2025 and March 2026, M&S plans to open 20 new or renewed stores, generating 800 jobs.
This follows its purchase in 2025 of 12 former Homebase sites to be redeveloped into some of its biggest standalone food stores.
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By GlobalDataThe first of these is due to open before Christmas in Cannock.
The updated food format includes an expanded product range, wider aisles and larger car parks, designed to cater for customers doing a full weekly grocery shop.
The company recently opened food stores have performed ahead of internal forecasts, highlighting its Selby branch at Three Lakes Retail Park as having delivered above-average food market share gains in its area.
M&S’s longer-term estate plan is to operate 180 full-line stores and 420 food stores, with more than half of its total locations — including convenience outlets — expected to be trading in the renewal format by April 2028.
M&S food managing director Alex Freudmann 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 wants 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.”
In November 2025, M&S opened an 80,000ft² flagship store at Cabot Circus in Bristol, following a multi-million-pound investment.
The new three-floor store offers M&S food, fashion, home and beauty ranges and has created 150 jobs.
The lower ground floor features a market-style food hall showcasing fresh produce from Select Farm partners, an in-store bakery, hot chicken and sushi counters, and a 200-seat coffee shop.
