Marks & Spencer (M&S) is setting its sights on expanding its food retail operations with plans for new stores in Kettering and Corby. The British retail group aims to establish large sites that can accommodate its full range of food products, targeting an average store size of approximately 18,000 square feet. This initiative is part of M&S’s broader strategy to double the size of its food business.
According to Alex Freudmann, Managing Director of M&S Food, the company’s recent successes with new food stores have provided the confidence to explore additional locations across the UK. “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,” he stated. M&S plans to open or modernize over twenty stores by the end of the current financial year, rapidly expanding its presence in the market.
The potential sites under consideration do not only include Kettering and Corby but also Northampton, Daventry, Towcester, and nearby Market Harborough. Currently, Corby is home to an M&S Foodhall on Courier Road, while Kettering previously had an M&S store on High Street, which closed in August 2018.
M&S has identified approximately 500 locations across the UK that could support its ambitious plan to modernize its store estate. The retailer aims to operate 180 full-line stores and 420 food shops nationwide.
This summer, M&S announced its acquisition of 12 Homebase sites, which are set to transform into some of the largest standalone food stores in the UK. The first of these new stores is expected to open in Cannock before Christmas 2024.
The upcoming store openings between November and March are expected to create around 800 jobs. These new locations will feature an extended range of M&S Food, wider aisles to accommodate larger shopping trolleys, and larger car parks designed for family shoppers.
For individuals or businesses with potential sites that may interest M&S, the company encourages contact through designated email addresses for site submissions. This expansion reflects M&S’s commitment to enhancing customer shopping experiences while meeting the growing demand for their food offerings.
