Marks & Spencer expands with 12 new food stores in ex-Homebase locations
M&S is accelerating its store renewal strategy with plans to open 12 new food halls across England, including its largest-ever standalone food store.
The new stores, located on former Homebase sites, will create over 550 jobs and play a key role in M&S’s store rotation programme focused on developing “bigger, better” locations.
The openings also reflect the retailer’s strong confidence in brick-and-mortar investment, despite recovering from a recent cyber attack that affected trading.
Two 18,000 sq ft stores in Abingdon and Cannock are among the confirmed openings, both set to launch in late 2025.
By mid-2026, three more large-format stores will open in Farnham, Godalming, and Northampton. At 22,000 sq ft, the Godalming store will be M&S’s largest standalone food hall to date.
This move aligns with M&S’s commitment to reshape its estate by 2027/28, aiming for 420 renewed Food stores and a streamlined portfolio of 180 Full Line stores. The expansion also follows last year’s strong performance, where food sales in new stores exceeded targets by around 20%.
This year, the retailer aims to open 10 new Food stores and two Full Line stores, while also upgrading several existing locations to the renewal format.
All new stores will showcase modern in-store concepts such as market-style fruit and vegetable displays, larger bakeries offering coffee to go, and Click & Collect points for fashion, home, and beauty orders from M&S.com. Additional features include expanded frozen food sections, wider aisles, and energy-efficient systems aligned with the retailer’s Plan A commitments.
M&S CEO Stuart Machin said: “Investing in new and refreshed stores is central to our transformation strategy. Securing these prime locations will accelerate our growth, boost the M&S food business, and—most importantly—deliver the best possible shopping experience for our customers.”
The investment is made as M&S continues to evaluate the full financial impact of the Easter weekend cyber attack, which disrupted both online orders and in-store availability.
All store plans remain subject to planning approval.
The new stores, located on former Homebase sites, will create over 550 jobs and play a key role in M&S’s store rotation programme focused on developing “bigger, better” locations.
The openings also reflect the retailer’s strong confidence in brick-and-mortar investment, despite recovering from a recent cyber attack that affected trading.
Two 18,000 sq ft stores in Abingdon and Cannock are among the confirmed openings, both set to launch in late 2025.
By mid-2026, three more large-format stores will open in Farnham, Godalming, and Northampton. At 22,000 sq ft, the Godalming store will be M&S’s largest standalone food hall to date.
This move aligns with M&S’s commitment to reshape its estate by 2027/28, aiming for 420 renewed Food stores and a streamlined portfolio of 180 Full Line stores. The expansion also follows last year’s strong performance, where food sales in new stores exceeded targets by around 20%.
This year, the retailer aims to open 10 new Food stores and two Full Line stores, while also upgrading several existing locations to the renewal format.
All new stores will showcase modern in-store concepts such as market-style fruit and vegetable displays, larger bakeries offering coffee to go, and Click & Collect points for fashion, home, and beauty orders from M&S.com. Additional features include expanded frozen food sections, wider aisles, and energy-efficient systems aligned with the retailer’s Plan A commitments.
M&S CEO Stuart Machin said: “Investing in new and refreshed stores is central to our transformation strategy. Securing these prime locations will accelerate our growth, boost the M&S food business, and—most importantly—deliver the best possible shopping experience for our customers.”
The investment is made as M&S continues to evaluate the full financial impact of the Easter weekend cyber attack, which disrupted both online orders and in-store availability.
All store plans remain subject to planning approval.
30/May/2025 10:34