M&S will invest in twelve new stores, which will open on former Homebase sites. The raft of new store openings will include it biggest ever standalone Food store, after its food & drink offer continued deliver strong results, outperforming targets by ~20% this year.

The expansion is part of M&S’ store rotation and renewal programme, which focuses on delivering the right format and sized stores in the right locations. “Investing in new and renewed stores is one of our key transformation priorities,” M&S’ CEO, Stuart Machin, said. 

The new stores set to open this year, which will create over 550 new jobs, will comprise ten M&S Food stores, including two 18,000 sq ft food halls in Abingdon and Cannock due to open in late 2025, and two full line stores. It said a number of other stores will also be updated to the renewal format.

Next year, M&S plans to open a 22,000 sq ft food hall in Godalming, its largest standalone Food store to date, as well as further planned M&S Food openings in Farnham and Northampton.

Featuring the latest in-store designs, the new M&S Food shops will include market-style fruit & veg and expanded frozen sections. They will also include large new bakeries serving fresh coffee and bigger car parking facilities, as well as Click & Collect counters allowing customers to pick up ecommerce orders.

Additionally, all the new M&S stores will contribute to delivering on the retailer’s Plan A commitments. They will use tech, such as LED lighting and natural refrigerant fridges and freezers, to make stores more energy efficient.