Marks & Spencer (M&S) has revealed that it is on track to open 10 new convenience stores this year while renewing up to 50 others as part of its drive to grow its £1 billion convenience business.
The retailer outlined its plans after reopening its Liverpool Street Station Mezzanine store, which has been renewed with franchise partner SSP. The new look store includes a revamped chilled section and freshly baked bakery products, offering a more targeted food-on-the-move range.
Travel food and drink specialist SSP currently runs 55 franchised M&S convenience stores. By the end of this year, M&S will be present in more than 40 UK train stations, including two new stores at Ealing Broadway, opened last month, and Belfast, opening in October, as well as in hospitals and airports across the UK.
“Our renewal programme is all about making sure we have the right stores in the right place and with the right space, and this applies to our convenience stores as well,” said Alex Freudmann, M&S Food MD.
“These stores offer the perfect range for customers on the move looking for sandwiches, salads and snacks to eat now, as well as meals for dinner, such as our infamous Dine In offers. The convenience channel complements our wider business and provides a halo effect, so it’s important that customers have the same fantastic shopping experience.
"The new renewal format for our convenience stores maximises these small spaces to deliver the M&S Foodhall experience for the missions our customers are shopping for as they travel.
“By renewing and growing our convenience estate, we’ll continue to deliver for our customers however, whenever and wherever they want to shop with us.”
