Marks & Spencer has opened a new market-style food hall at Bell Green Retail Park in Sydenham, south London, featuring an in-store bakery, barista coffee counter, cheese bar and hot chicken counter. The store has created over 50 new jobs for local residents.
New store features and opening details
The fresh, market-style food hall boasts an in-store bakery and coffee counter where "customers can enjoy barista-made takeaway hot drinks and a range of bread and pastries". It also features a cheese bar and a click-and-collect service, alongside a hot chicken counter and a dedicated flower and wine shop "showcasing the best flower market specials and award-winning wines".
Richard Connelly, Store Manager at M&S Sydenham, said: "The reception from customers has been absolutely fantastic, and a big thank you goes out to everyone who lined up at 8am to see our doors opening this morning."
M&S background and growth strategy
Marks & Spencer is one of the UK's best-known high street names, with shoppers heading to its stores for everything from food and fashion to homeware and beauty products. The retailer dates back to 1884, when Michael Marks opened a market stall at Leeds' famous Kirkgate Market. He later teamed up with Tom Spencer, laying the foundations for the M&S brand millions know today.
The company now employs around 63,000 people and says it serves almost 30 million customers every year. Under its "Reinvesting for Growth" strategy, the retailer is focusing on expanding and upgrading its stores, with a particular push to grow its M&S Food arm.
Two more stores confirmed for October
According to the M&S website, its food has become a major part of the brand. The company says its strategy is centred on quality, innovation and trusted value, with around 5,000 food lines. It is heavily focused on own-brand products, which is a big part of what makes M&S different from a traditional department store.
The supermarket chain will add to its portfolio by opening a brand-new store in south London, with two further locations confirmed to open in October. The new M&S food hall at Bell Green Retail Park opened in September, with an Elephant and Castle store set to open on October 29 and a Riverside Retail Park store in Northampton opening in late October.
