SSP UK, an operator of food and beverage retailers in travel locations worldwide, has opened its largest ever Marks and Spencer store at London Waterloo station, in partnership with Network Rail.
The British retailer‘s new outlet spans across two-storeys, measuring 9,500 sq ft and will home more than 5,000 sq ft of general merchandise including an extensive range of menswear, womenswear and accessories in addition to an in-store bakery and an expanded food section.
The new branch is located in its former M&S Simply Food outlet spot at the heart of the station, which achieved the highest sales per square foot at any store within the SSP M&S estate. The Waterloo store is expected to be on of the strongest performing M&S station branches.
Steve Kemp, Head of Foods Operations and Hospitality at Marks & Spencer, said: “We look forward to bringing our innovative food and stylish clothing lines to all those who use or work at the station.”
Waterloo station has successfully transformed in the last five years with Network Rail investing £25m to build the new retail balcony as part of a major drive to reinvent the station as a destination in its own right.
The architectural improvements and added retailers have already increased passenger satisfaction by over 11%, hugely reduced passenger congestion and improved access, as well as an increased like-for-like sales, 27% in the first years since completion.
SSP has been successfully operating the M&S brand since 2001 when it opened its first Simply Food outlet at London‘s Liverpool Street station. The company now runs 58 branches across the UK.
Talya Misiri
