M&S previously said in October 2022 that it wants to reduce its “full line” stores from 247 to 180 by 2028, but it will open 104 more Simply Food shops
Marks and Spencer is closing more stores in a huge blow for customers, as it pushes ahead with plans to restructure its business.
The supermarket chain has previously announced plans to shut 110 shops for good, but did not reveal the exact locations. M&S wants to focus more on its food-only stores, and reduce its “full line” branches with home and clothing ranges.
In an update in October 2022, the supermarket said it wants to reduce its “full line” stores from 247 to 180 by 2028, but it will open 104 more Simply Food shops. If these plans go ahead, it means M&S will increase the number of its Simply Food sites from 316 to 420.
M&S said it is investing £480million in its “store rotation programme”, which will see 3,400 jobs being created. November 2023 marked its biggest ever store opening month, with M&S opening or refurbishing nine new shops that month.
M&S chief executive Stuart Machin said the retailer is focusing on “making sure we have the right stores, in the right place, with the right space”. He said: “We’re aiming to rotate… to 180 higher quality, higher productivity full line stores that sell our full clothing, home and food offer whilst also opening over 100 bigger, better food sites.”
Mr Machin added: “The out-performance of our recently relocated and renewed stores give us the confidence to go faster in our plan. Our investment in stores not only delivers a better experience for customers and colleagues, it boosts local communities with new job creation and will help us deliver a more sustainable estate in every sense.”
Which M&S stores are closing?
M&S has not released a full list of all the stores it has earmarked for closure, but here is what we know so far, based on local reports. For some stores, staff have just been notified of the proposal for it to be closed. This means in some cases, a final decision has not yet been reached.
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Cheltenham – March 30, 2024
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Peterborough – April 2024
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Neath, Wales – May 2024
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Aberdeen, Scotland – 2025
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Weymouth – exact date to be confirmed
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Sunderland – exact date to be confirmed
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Hexham – exact date to be confirmed
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Bradford – exact date to be confirmed
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Ilford – exact date to be confirmed
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Blackburn – exact date to be confirmed
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Walworth – exact date to be confirmed
Have you spotted an M&S store closing that’s not on our list? Let us know by email – [email protected]
