// M&S opens first new look M&S Café at its new Solihull Sears store
// The new café is part of M&S’s transformative store renewal programme
// M&S said the new format is designed to deliver a complete step-change for customers
Marks & Spencer has launched a new M&S Café as part of a “test and learn renewal concept” at its new Solihull Sears store.
The retailer has revealed the new café – which is situated at Sears Retail Park – as part of its transformative store renewal programme.
M&S said the new format is designed to deliver a complete step-change for customers with an operating model focused on a digital customer experience with on-screen and on-phone ordering.
READ MORE: M&S extends refill concept Fill Your Own to 8 stores
“The café has been developed to create a warm and inviting space for our customers to relax as part of their shopping experience,” M&S head of hospitality Caroline Cromar said.
“The new operating model allows for a seamless ordering process and improved speed, whilst delivering exceptional M&S quality food and drink that our customers know and trust.”
Solihull Sears is M&S’s 16th store operating under its “renewal” concept following recent refurbishments at stores in Stratford City, Wolstanton, Gyle and Lisburn and new store openings at Paisley, Staines and Straiton.
A further 24 renewal stores are planned for the retailer’s 21/22 financial year, taking the total to 40.
M&S Food chief operating officer and managing director, Stuart Machin said: “We’ve seen our renewal store concepts deliver a bigger, better and fresher experience for customers across food and we’re excited to expand the programme further this year.
“With hospitality being a key part of the M&S shopping experience for many of our customers, by testing our café renewal format in Solihull, we hope to cement our reputation as a great destination for families.”
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