// M&S announces the re-opening of 25 clothing-only outlets as part of its store reopening plans
// Staff are returning to implement the measures M&S has been operating across its foodhalls
// Outlets will continue to play a critical role in helping M&S manage stock
Marks & Spencer has confirmed it will now reopen all 25 of its clothing outlet stores in England from Monday, as per government guidance on lifting lockdown restrictions.
The outlet shops in question don’t include a foodhall and sell M&S clothing at discounted prices alongside everyday items, hence why they have been closed along with all other non-essential retail due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The reopening of these outlet stores are in addition to last week’s announcement that M&S will reopen 260 clothing spaces within M&S stores that also sell food.
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M&S has been operating outlet stores since 2000, with many of them are located in popular outlet shopping centres and play a role in how M&S manages stock year-round.
In addition to utilising its outlet stores, to help manage stock during this “unprecedented time” M&S said it would take “all possible steps to defer supply” and run additional clearance activity such as M&S’s Rainbow Sales for NHS Charities Together.
Ahead of the lockdown exit from Monday, M&S outlet staff have returned to the stores from today to ensure the same health and safety measures operating across M&S foodhalls are also implemented.
This includes in-store customer limit numbers, making hand sanitiser available upon entry, shop safely signage and clear floor markings to remind customers about the need for social distancing.
All M&S tills will have perpex screens installed and contactless payments will be encouraged, but fitting rooms will remain closed.
“Outlet stores are an important way we manage our stock and the products available are popular with customers,” M&S head of outlets Richard Fox said.
“Throughout this period M&S outlets have been shut, but the teams are now back in store and making sure we’re ready to serve from Monday.
“From managing the flow of customers into the store to perspex screens at till points, customers will find the robust measures from our foodhalls in place at our outlets to keep all our customers and colleagues healthy and well.”
The M&S outlet locations that will reopen on Monday are:
• Ashford Outlet
• Astle West Bromwich Outlet
• Boundary Mill Colne Outlet
• Braintree Outlet
• Byker Outlet
• Castleford Outlet
• Chatham Outlet
• Clacton Outlet
• Dalton Park Murton Outlet
• Doncaster Outlet
• Ellesmere Cheshire Oaks Outlet
• Gloucester Quays Outlet
• Gunwharf Quays Portsmouth Outlet
• Hatfield Outlet
• Lowry Salford Quays Outlet
• Mansfield Outlet
• Perry Barr Outlet
• Springfields Spalding Outlet
• Street Outlet
• Swindon Outlet
• Talke Outlet
• Thurrock Outlet
• Urban Exchange Manchester Outlet
• Wembley Outlet
• York Outlet
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