M&S has launched a new list of 500 target locations, including 32 in Scotland, it is considering for new and renewed food stores as it aims to double the size of its food business.
Many of the desired locations are in Scotland’s central belt and East coast, while Inverness, Elgin and Dumfries have also been flagged up as areas of interest.
The retailer is looking for sites of at least two acres located on the edge of centre or out of town, which can house stores of 21,500+sq ft gross internal area, and accomodate 150+ car parking spaces. The firm is considering both freehold and leasehold properties, including existing retail units.
M&S is looking to expand the size of its Food stores to stock a fuller range and attract more customers to do their weekly shop. All of these stores would be in the new renewal format with an extended range of M&S Food, wider aisles for bigger shopping trolleys and larger car parks for more family shoppers.
Over half of the stores across the M&S estate, including convenience stores, are expected to be in the renewal format by April 2028.
The move follows the “excellent performance” of new M&S Food stores opened in the last three years.
Alex Freudmann Managing Director, M&S Food 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. With more than twenty stores opening or modernised before the end of the financial year, we are moving faster. 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.”
Target Locations in Scotland:
1. Anniesland
2. Bishopbriggs
3. Bridge Of Don Aberdeen
4. Broughty Ferry
5. Clarkston
6. Coatbridge Faraday
7. Craigleith
8. Cults / Garthdee
9. Cumbernauld
10. Dumbarton
11. Dumfries
12. Dunblane
13. Dunfermline
14. Elgin
15. Ellon
16. Glenrothes
17. Inveralmond Perth
18. Inverness
19. Inverurie
20. Irvine
21. Kings Park Glasgow
22. Kingsgate East Kilbride
23. Lanark
24. Leith
25. Livingston
26. Milngavie
27. Montrose
28. Morningside Edinburgh
29. St Andrews
30. Stonehaven
31. Uddingston
32. Westhill
See the group’s updated property requirements brochure for further details.
