M&S to open clothing-only stores
Marks & Spencer is planning to open a number of clothing-only stores as the retailer sees an increase in fashion sales.
The retailer will kick off the expansion programme with opening of a clothing only store at Battersea Power Station later this year, The Sunday Times has reported.
The new store is set to trial a format with a curated range of menswear and womenswear, including M&S’s Autograph line.
The retailer said the new stores – which will be called Marks & Spencer – will open in the autumn and be trialled as a new, smaller format.
M&S’s clothing sales have seen a increase over recent years as the retailer has shifted its focus to a younger customer base.
This move represents a shift in strategy for the retailer, which last year said it would look to reduce its clothing and home selling space to make way for more food space.
In November, M&S said it was aiming to accelerate its store rotation programme to create an estate of around 180 full-line and 400 M&S food stores by the 2028 financial year.