M&S has launched a new list of 500 target locations it is considering for new and renewed Food stores as it aims to double the size of its food business.
With 20 stores opening or renewing before the end of the current financial year, creating 800 new jobs, M&S is picking up the pace on renewing in its store estate despite its troubles earlier this year following a high-profile cyberattack that is predicted to cost the retailer hundreds of millions of pounds and led to a 99% slump in profits for the first half of 2025.
As M&S reshapes for growth, it is also looking to expand the size of its Food stores to stock a fuller range and attract more customers to do their weekly shop.
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Following the excellent performance of the new M&S Food stores opened in the last three years, cyberattacks notwithstanding, M&S is now expanding its number of locations, including into areas where there is not yet an M&S store.
Many stores will be in the new renewal format with an extended range of M&S Food, wider aisles for bigger shopping trolleys and larger car parks for more family shoppers. The Food store in Selby, North Yorkshire, opened on Three Lakes retail park last year and has outperformed expectations, delivering above average food market share growth in the region, and M&S expects to have over half of the stores across its estate, including convenience stores, in the renewal format by April 2028.
Alex Freudmann managing director, M&S Food said: “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 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.
