M&S has disclosed a list of 500 potential locations for future store openings. Last year, the supermarket announced plans to launch or renovate 20 M&S stores, resulting in the creation of 800 jobs. New stores in Northwich, Abingdon, and Stonehaven are set to open soon.
Additionally, stores in Farnham and Northampton are expected to open in the upcoming spring and summer of 2026, including a flagship food store in Godalming. M&S aims to expand into areas like Hove, Marlborough, and Wallingford where it currently has no presence.
The company has recently welcomed customers to new stores in Cannock and Bath. M&S is actively seeking sites across the UK capable of accommodating trading spaces of 18,000sqft (25,000sqft gross).
Alex Freudmann, Managing Director of M&S Food, expressed confidence in exploring new locations nationwide, stating that the successful performance of their new food stores has accelerated their expansion efforts. With over twenty stores slated to open or be revamped by the end of the financial year, M&S is focused on delivering the best shopping experience to its customers.
During the festive season, M&S experienced a surge in foot traffic, with food sales increasing by 5.6% compared to the previous year. However, the fashion, home, and beauty division saw a decline of 2.9% in sales. M&S attributed the decrease in store spending to reduced high street footfall and ongoing issues with its stock data and management systems following a cyber attack.
Looking ahead, M&S plans to restructure its operations for growth amidst an uncertain consumer landscape by optimizing store formats and cutting costs.