Marks and Spencer has announced an ambitious expansion strategy, targeting a significant increase in its food business across the UK. The retail giant revealed plans for 32 new Scottish stores, alongside a list of 500 potential locations for both new and refurbished Foodhalls.
The core of M&S’s strategy is to double the size of its food operation. This involves opening or refurbishing 20 stores by the conclusion of the current financial year in April, a move anticipated to create 800 new employment opportunities and accelerate its estate transformation programme.
The retailer’s expansion model focuses on securing appropriately sized outlets in prime locations. M&S aims to enlarge its Food stores to offer a more extensive selection, thereby attracting a broader customer base for their weekly shopping. The company noted the successful performance of new M&S Food stores launched over the past three years.
Consequently, the search for new sites has been broadened to include areas where M&S currently lacks a presence. These new outlets will feature the latest “renewal format,” which includes an expanded range of M&S Food products, wider aisles to accommodate larger shopping trolleys, and more spacious car parks for family shoppers. The Food store in Selby, which opened on Three Lakes retail park last year, has notably exceeded expectations, delivering above-average food market share growth in its region.
M&S is actively considering 500 potential locations to implement its successful store format, with projections indicating that over half of all M&S stores, including convenience formats, will adopt this new design by April 2028.
Alex Freudmann, Managing Director of M&S Food, affirmed the company’s confidence: “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.”
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He continued: “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 push for growth follows a period impacted by a significant cyber attack. In the six months leading up to 27 September, M&S reported a substantial dip in underlying pre-tax profits, falling by 55.4 percent to £184.1 million. On a statutory basis, profits reduced significantly to £3.4 million, down from £391.9 million in the preceding year. The cyber attack was estimated to have cost the company £324 million in lost sales; however, M&S recovered £100 million through an insurance payout during the first half of the year.
The locations for the 32 new Scottish M&S Food stores are:
- Anniesland
- Bishopbriggs
- Bridge Of Don, Aberdeen
- Broughty Ferry
- Clarkston
- Coatbridge Faraday
- Craigleith
- Cults / Garthdee, Aberdeen
- Cumbernauld
- Dumbarton
- Dumfries
- Dunblane
- Dunfermline
- Elgin
- Ellon
- Glenrothes
- Inveralmond Perth
- Inverness
- Inverurie
- Irvine
- Kings Park, Glasgow
- Kingsgate, East Kilbride
- Lanark
- Leith
- Livingston
- Milngavie
- Montrose
- Morningside, Edinburgh
- St Andrews
- Stonehaven
- Uddingston
- Westhill, Aberdeen
