Marks and Spencer has opened four new locations across the UK, with a fifth set to launch this summer, as part of a £90 million expansion plan. The latest addition, at Fairacres Retail Park in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, opened last week, with shoppers queuing outside.
The Fairacres branch has created 75 new jobs and is part of a wider programme that includes brand-new supermarkets and the renewal of 11 existing stores. The new food halls offer produce from M&S' Select Farm partners, alongside an in-store bakery, coffee counter and a Hot Chicken Counter. A Flower and Wine shop is also available.
Paddy Sunderland, store manager at Fairacres, said: 'I grew up locally so it feels really special to be opening a brand-new store in Abingdon today. The team have done an amazing job getting the store ready and we're proud to bring the very best of M&S Food to customers.'
The expansion underlines M&S's commitment to physical retail, with the full list of new stores not yet disclosed but including both full-line stores and food halls.
