// M&S has launched a new partnership with ChargedUp
// Customers will now be able to access portable power banks in 8 stores
// It marks the first partnership in M&S’s accelerator programme Founders Factory Retail
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Marks & Spencer’s customers will now be able to charge their phones in store as the retailer signs its first start-up company under its accelerator programme.
The retailer is due to roll out ChargedUp vending stations across eight of its London stores, including White City, Bankside, Victoria Cardinal Place, Finsbury Pavement, Fenchurch Street, Pantheon, Paddington and M&S Merchant Square Café.
ChargedUp stations contain numerous portable charging banks which the user can unlock via its app, use for as long as they want and return it to any of company’s 250 stations across its London network.
In June, M&S launched an accelerator programme in joint venture with Founders Factory, called Founders Factory Retail which aims to invest in a number of start-ups within the sector.
ChargedUp will mark the first start-up M&S has chosen to partner with through its accelerator scheme.
“We think ChargedUp is a great start-up business,” Founders Factory lead at M&S Daniel Himsworth said.
“Mobile phones are an essential part of today’s shopping experience and we all know how frustrating a low battery is.
“The ChargedUp team has a very smart idea to solve the problem and keep shoppers fully charged. We look forward to working with them.”
ChargedUp’s founder and chief executive Hugo Tilmouth, added: “We are delighted to have been selected for the M&S and Founders Factory Retail programme.
“As a start-up, working with a brand like M&S not only gives us access to the best market insights, but we are incredibly happy that our ChargedUp battery stations will be in several stores next month – which is potentially game-changing for us ahead of our nationwide roll-out. We can’t wait to see M&S customers using our batteries.”
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