British multi-category retailer Marks & Spencer plans to open at least 10 new convenience stores in conjunction with its franchise partners and refresh up to 50 existing c-stores this year as it looks to grow its £1 billion ($1.3 billion) convenience business.
The company kicked off the c-store push earlier this month with the reopening of its Liverpool Street Station Mezzanine store, which was renewed in partnership with travel food retailer SSP. When it originally opened in 2001, the Liverpool Street Station store was the first-ever M&S convenience store at a mainline railway station. 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 (which opened last month) and Belfast (which will open in October), as well as in hospitals and airports across the UK. SSP currently operates 55 of these franchised M&S locations across the UK.
The renewed Liverpool Street Mezzanine store provides a good taste of what’s in store for other M&S convenience locations. The location now includes an additional entrance as well as revamped chilled and floral sections. Freshly baked bakery products have been added, as have additional payment points, with three additional self-service checkout stations now in place to reduce waiting time.
“Our renewal program 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, Managing Director of M&S Food in a statement. “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 maximizes these small spaces to deliver the M&S Foodhall experience for the missions our customers are shopping for as they travel.”
Advertisement
