Marks and Spencer announces new store closures and openings in 2023
British retailer Marks and Spencer willbe making several changes between now and the end of 2023, affecting many loyal customers.
At the beginning of the year, Marks and Spencer shared its plans to reduce its “full line” stores, including clothing and home branches, from 247 to 180.
However, the retailer will also be opening 104 Simply Food branches in the next five years, increasing its food shops from 316 to 420.
The Eagles Meadow store in Wrexham is set to close on November 30. But hope is not lost for Marks and Spencer customers who call this store their local.
Just one day after the closure, on December 1, M&S will be opening a brand-new Foodhall in Wrexham, located in Plas Coch Retail Park.
READ MORE: Sainsbury’s will open two new stores this November – full list
The store will be 15,000 sq ft, and offer shoppers a fresh market-style Foodhall with an in-store bakery.
Store manager at Wrexham, Mike Bolland, stated: “It’s brilliant to confirm our opening day and share a sneak peek of our new Foodhall design as we look forward to our new Wrexham store opening in six weeks’ time! Our store will be packed with many exciting new features which we can’t wait to reveal and we’re counting down the days to finally open the doors so our customers can experience it for themselves.”
The popular retailer will see many new stores opening before the end of the year. A spokesperson told Express.co.uk that M&S has opened new and “better stores across the UK” as part of a £480million project.
They said: “Our store rotation and investment programme is about making sure we have the right stores, in the right place, with the right space.
“Whilst our store rotation programme involves closing some stores, it also means relocating and opening new stores in locations across the country.
“In this coming year alone, we are opening 20 new stores across the UK, including brand new M&S stores in Leeds, Liverpool, Birmingham, Manchester, Thurrock and Purley, and new M&S Foodhalls in locations such as Stockport, Wrexham, Barnsley and Largs.”
Marks and Spencer revealed that 20 new “bigger, better stores” are already planned for the 2023-2024 financial year.
Speaking about the exciting November changes, Marks and Spencer said: “Kicking off with a major new 65,000 square foot store in Birmingham’s Bullring on Tuesday, November 7, M&S will open at least one store every seven days throughout the month. This also includes two further new store openings, alongside three new M&S Foodhalls and a further three store renewals.”
“The three new full line stores in Birmingham Bullring, Lakeside Thurrock and Manchester Trafford Centre are all store relocations – part of M&S’ investment to regenerate vacant sites. The three store renewals also mean M&S is nearing over 100 stores in the renewal format. Each store aims to appeal to local families, with customers able to browse in wider, brighter aisles and a clear line of sight across the store.
“With fresh market-style food halls stocking the full M&S Food range, spacious Clothing, Home and Beauty departments, as well as free car parking to make shopping more convenient for customers. Lakeside and Trafford Centre will also have brand-new M&S cafes.”
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New M&S stores to open in 2023
New Full Line stores
- Birmingham Bullring – November 7
- Lakeside – November 15
- Trafford Centre – November 30
New Foodhalls
- Uckfield – November 8
- Earlsfield – November 16
- Barnsley – November 28
Store renewals
- Camberley – November 20
- Handforth – November 23
- Newcastle (FH only) – November 29
Today, Marks and Spencer announced its half year results. This included Profit before tax and adjusting items of £360.2 million, up 75.3 percent, and the growth of clothing and Home sales by 5.7 percent and 14.7 percent, respectively.
Charlie Huggins, Manager of the Quality Shares Portfolio at Wealth Club, commented: “In a difficult trading environment M&S has delivered excellent results, with notable progress in Food and Clothing and Home, and both businesses outperforming the market. With momentum having continued into October, the turnaround plan to revitalise the brand and reignite growth is well on track and the group can look forward to the Christmas period with confidence.
“The Clothing and Home division has been a problem child for M&S for many years. The new strategy, launched last year, aims to improve brand perception and designs, reduce discounting and improve the online offering, while taking a knife to costs and instilling a more entrepreneurial culture. Early signs are this plan is resonating with consumers.
“However, pressure on the UK consumer could intensify heading into 2024 as the impact of higher interest rates really starts to bite. This, combined with tougher comparatives means M&S is striking a tone of caution looking ahead to the second half. This may disappoint investors.
“Overall, M&S is delivering strongly on the things it can control and seems to be in a much better place now than it was a few years ago. However, it isn’t fully in charge of its own destiny and is heavily dependent on consumer confidence, where uncertainties still abound.”
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