M&S has unveiled plans to bolster its convenience store footprint this year as it looks to grow the £1bn business.
With its franchise partners, the retailer said it will open at least 10 new stores and renew up to 50 existing convenience locations across the UK.
M&S said that by the end of the year, it will have a presence in over 40 UK train stations as well as in hospitals and airports.
The announcement comes as the retailer reopened the doors to its Liverpool Street Station Mezzanine store this week as part of its railway refresh programme.
The updated store, in partnership with SSP, includes revamped chilled and floral sections, freshly baked products for the first time, as well as three additional self-service tills.
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It said its branch on the Mezzanine focuses on customers shopping for ‘Food for Now’, such as sandwiches, bakery and drinks, while its second store in the station’s West Mall is catered to customers looking for ‘Dinner for Tonight’ like items, including ready meals and ready to cook options.
M&S Food MD Alex Freudmann said: “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.
“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.”
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