Multinational retailer Marks and Spencer (M&S) has unveiled a substantial investment initiative for its London stores, committing £90m ($119m) to launch 17 new and enhanced stores within the current and following year.
This new project will result in the creation of 450 jobs throughout zones 1 to 6 of the city.
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The company plans to inaugurate several Foodhalls at locations including Covent Garden, Leytonstone, Clapham Common, Putney, New Malden, and Fulham Broadway, subject to receiving the necessary planning approvals.
These additions and expansions will increase M&S’s retail footprint in London by more than 70,000ft2, introducing customers to its latest store concepts.
However, all proposed store openings are contingent on securing planning permission.
Seven existing Foodhalls situated in Brooklands, Islington, Brent Cross, Whetstone, Wimbledon, Chiswick, and Clapham South, are also undergoing refurbishments.
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By GlobalDataThe Clapham South M&S Foodhall, which reopened last week, boasts larger ambient and frozen sections as well as an enlarged bakery. Enhancements such as new flooring, refrigeration units, and additional checkout counters have been installed to streamline customer experience.
Additionally, three M&S stores at Euston, St Pancras, and Charring Cross train stations have been recently revamped and reopened.
The new and refurbished stores will showcase contemporary in-store designs that highlight an expanded M&S Food range.
Features include market-style produce areas, extensive bakeries with freshly brewed coffee available for takeaway, and Click and Collect service points for the broader Clothing and Home assortment found on M&S.com.
The retailer is also expanding the Wimbledon and Chiswick Foodhalls to offer a more extensive selection of M&S Food products.
Plans are also underway to modernise the flagship Pantheon store on Oxford Street as part of the ongoing rotation and renewal strategy.
This renovation will be executed in phases starting with the basement Foodhall on 22 April, allowing the store to continue operations during the upgrade. A temporary food section will be available while renovations are carried out.
The Foodhall is expected to reopen in late summer, after which refurbishment efforts will shift to the Clothing and Home departments.
As part of its Plan A commitments, M&S’s store renewals incorporate LED lighting and natural refrigerant cooling systems, aimed at increasing energy efficiency. These upgrades are projected to cut emissions by 60%.
M&S operation director Sacha Berendji said: “London has always been a special place for M&S, growing from penny bazaars in the early 20th century into fresh Foodhalls like the one in Brixton we reopened last year.
“Our pipeline of stores demonstrates our continued investment in London, and we will continue to bring the very best of M&S to customers from Brixton to Barnet for years to come.”
This latest financial commitment builds upon a previously announced £50m investment in Northwest England stores last month.
With over a century-long presence since its first Brixton store opening in 1903, M&S currently operates more than 100 stores across London.
Last month, M&S allocated £95m to increase its retail pay offer, despite facing additional financial pressures due to recent government measures.
