Marks & Spencer has unveiled a new list of 500 target locations it is considering for new and renewed food stores, in a bid to double the size of its food business.

The food and fashion specialist has 20 stores opening or renewing before the end of the financial year, creating 800 new jobs.

Following the performance of its new M&S food stores which have opened in the last three years, the retailer is expanding the number of locations in its search for sites, which includes areas where there is not yet an M&S store such as Hove, Marlborough and Wallingford.

All of these stores would be in the new renewal format, with an extended range of M&S food, wider aisles and larger car parks.

More than half of the stores across the M&S estate, including convenience stores, are expected to be in its renewal format by April 2028.  

M&S said that unlocking new sites would help it to deliver its plan to modernise its store estate to a footprint of 180 full line stores and 420 food stores.

It noted that it was particularly looking for large sites that could sell its full range of M&S food, growing the target size of its food stores to an average of 18,000 sq ft.

M&S Food managing director Alex Freudmann said: “The strong performance of our new M&S food stores gives us the confidence to explore even more locations across the UK, from Elgin to Exmouth. 

“Our team want new sites where we could open a large M&S Food store as we deliver on our strategy to bring the right stores to the right places and offer the best shopping experience, range and availability for our customers.”

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