Marks & Spencer to open 20 “bigger, better stores”

The new development program will include eight full-format stores in major malls and on the high streets of major cities.

British retailer Marks & Spencer has announced plans to open 20 new better stores in the UK. The new openings will create 3,400 jobs.

The new development program will include eight full-format stores in major malls and on the high streets of major cities. The locations include Bullring in Birmingham and Trafford Centre in Manchester.

Marks & Spencer will also open 12 grocery supermarkets, including in Stockport, Barnsley, and the seaside town of Largs in North Ayrshire, Scotland. Investment in the new openings is expected to be 480 million pounds, or about $590 million.

The chain’s CEO, Stuart Machin, said the new investment program, with the opening of additional stores, “fits into the leveling-up agenda, with the creation of jobs across the whole of the UK.”

In late 2022, M&S announced its decision to close a substantial portion of its full-size stores. By 2028, the retailer aims to close 67 of its 250 stores. At the same time, the number of grocery supermarkets will grow by more than 100 to 420 locations.