Marks and Spencer announces nine new stores will open in November

Retail has taken a hit in recent years, first due to the pandemic and second, the cost of living crisis.

Both major events have caused consumer shopping and spending habits to change.

Back in August, Retail Gazette reported: “According to the British Retail Consortium, 6,000 shops have closed down in the UK in the last five years as a result of crippling business rates, a wave of administrations during the pandemic, and hesitancy around new openings.”

However, Britons need not fear, as several popular retailers have also announced ambitious new store launches.

The Telegraph claimed that Marks and Spencer will be opening a total of nine stores in November 2023, spending £80million in total.

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These include six new stores in prime locations such as Birmingham’s Bullring, Manchester’s Trafford Centre and the Lakeside shopping centre in Essex.

The other three stores opening this month will be three existing stores that have been refurbished.

According to the publication, six of the stores being opened are its larger format shops. Here, customers will be able to purchase food, clothing and homeware. The other three stores are set to be standalone food halls.

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Sacha Berendji, M&S operations director, said that having the right shops in the optimum locations is crucial for the retailer.

These store openings come at a perfect time, as the country prepares for the festive season.

Sacha said: “Increasing numbers of customers are heading back into stores to experience the best of M&S all under one roof, supported by outstanding service from our colleagues, and we expect this to continue as we head into Christmas.”

According to The Telegraph, M&S is in the process of revamping its stores against a “difficult economic backdrop”, with the aim of going from 247 larger stores that stock food, clothing and homeware to 180 more productive and higher quality larger shops.

Good news for shoppers who get their groceries from M&S, the retailer also plans to open more than 100 food halls. According to the retailer, the changes could save it more than £300million in rent.

But as nine M&S stores open this month, one store is set to shut its doors. The retailer confirmed the Wrexham store will permanently close on November 30.

However, the supermarket will be opening a new Foodhall in Wrexham, located in Plas Coch Retail Park, on December 1. The new 15,000 sq ft store will offer local shoppers a fresh market-style Foodhall with an in-store bakery.

Express.co.uk contacted M&S for comment.

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