M&S Unveils 500 UK Sites for Food Store Expansion

Marks & Spencer has unveiled a list of 500 potential locations across the United Kingdom for new or renewed food stores, as the retailer seeks to double the size of its food business amid a broader modernization of its store estate.

The announcement, released this week, targets highly visible and accessible sites capable of supporting stores between 18,000 and 25,000 square feet. These larger formats would allow for an extended range of products, wider aisles to accommodate bigger shopping trolleys, and expanded car parks to attract more family shoppers. Officials at Marks & Spencer stated that the company plans to open or renew 20 stores before the end of its financial year in March, creating 800 new jobs. Over half of the retailer's estate, including convenience stores, is expected to adopt this renewal format by April 2028, resulting in a network of 180 full-line stores and 420 food-focused outlets.

The expansion builds on recent successes, such as the food store opened last year at Three Lakes Retail Park in Selby, North Yorkshire, which has exceeded performance expectations and driven above-average market share growth in the region. This summer, Marks & Spencer acquired 12...