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, leading to the creation of 800 new jobs. Among the imminent openings are new sites in Northwich, Abingdon, and Stonehaven.
Additionally, upcoming store launches in Farnham, Northampton, and Godalming, which will be M&S’ largest standalone food store, are expected in the spring and summer of 2026. The company has already introduced new stores in Cannock and Bath, expressing a desire to expand into areas without existing stores such as Hove, Marlborough, and Wallingford.
M&S is actively seeking sites across the UK capable of accommodating 18,000sqft (25,000sqft gross) of trading space. Alex Freudmann, Managing Director of M&S Food, stated that the positive performance of their new food stores has encouraged them to explore more locations nationwide.
The surge in store openings aligns with M&S’s strategy to enhance the shopping experience for customers by providing the right stores in the right areas with a wide range of products. Despite a successful holiday season with a 5.6% growth in food sales, the fashion, home, and beauty division experienced a 2.9% decline in sales compared to the previous year.
M&S attributed the decrease in physical store spending to reduced foot traffic on high streets and lingering disruptions from a cyber attack. The cyber incident, which occurred last year, is expected to impact the retailer’s annual profits by approximately £136 million, with a significant portion affecting the final six months of the financial year.
In response to these challenges, M&S aims to reshape its business for growth by revamping stores, reducing costs, and adapting to the evolving consumer landscape.