M&S plans expansion with new flagship store in Bristol

05 Jul '24

2 min read

M&S plans expansion with new flagship store in Bristol

Pic: Marks & Spencer

Insights

M&S has announced the opening of a new flagship store in Bristol's Cabot Circus.
The 80,000 sq ft store will offer an extensive range of M&S products, aligning with the retailer's strategy to optimise store locations.
This expansion is part of M&S's broader plan to open up to four new full-line stores and nine foodhalls across the UK this financial year.

M&S has announced at its AGM plans to return to Bristol with the opening of a brand-new flagship store in Cabot Circus.

The 80,000 sq ft store is backed by a £21m (~$24m) investment by the retailer and will offer customers the very best of M&S Food, Clothing and Beauty. The opening is anticipated to create an estimated 150 new jobs and is part of the retailer’s store rotation strategy to make sure it has the right stores in the right place and with the right space.

Cabot Circus complements M&S’ existing offer across Bristol, including its Avonmeads, Eastgate, Imperial Park and Whiteladies Road stores as well as Cribbs Causeway and Longwell Green.

Work is currently underway to transform the Cribbs Causeway store.

At its recent full-year results, the retailer announced plans to open up to four new full-line stores and nine new foodhalls across the UK in the current financial year.

M&S CEO Stuart Machin, who announced the plans at the retailer’s AGM today in response to a shareholder question, said: “It’s brilliant to be announcing our return to Bristol city centre today. At Cabot Circus, we’re able to create a flagship store which delivers the best possible shopping experience for customers and showcases the very best of M&S. Our store rotation programme is all about ensuring we have the right stores in the right place and with the right space to excite and inspire our customers, including in city centres. This £21m investment will allow us to do just that while expanding our footprint across the South West.”

As it stands, M&S currently has over 45 stores across the South West, employing over 4,000 colleagues and working with over 1,100 Select Farmers in the region. This latest investment builds on the c.£6m invested in its South West stores over the past three years.

Hammerson CEO, Rita-Rose Gagné, said, “We are delighted to continue expanding our partnership with M&S in Cabot Circus, having seen the positive impact of their presence across our other destinations. M&S is a brand that resonates with our core catchment areas and this new store will support our strategy to create a leading destination, thriving at the heart of Bristol city centre.”