Marks & Spencer is accelerating its London retail rollout, launching six new or transformed stores across the capital before the end of the year as part of a £90 million investment programme, according to statements from the retailer and local media reports.

Three sites opened this week: a brand-new 5,300 sq ft fresh market-style foodhall on Southampton Street in Covent Garden, and renewed foodhalls in Temple Fortune and Wimbledon. Two further stores are slated to open in November at Clapham Common and Fulham Broadway, with a renovated Chiswick branch to follow in early December. The franchised M&S Food at Paddington station, operated by SSP, is also due for a renewal next month.

The programme focuses on introducing features such as in-store bakery and coffee counters, a market-style produce offer with fruit and vegetables sourced from M&S Select Farms, and dedicated flower and wine shops, alongside a refreshed store environment. In total, the six openings and renewals have created more than 200 jobs, the retailer said.

Thinus Keeve, retail director at Marks & Spencer, said: “We want to be proud of every store we have across the capital and as we reshape for growth, our focus is opening new stores to grow our footprint but also renewing those stores where we can deliver a better shopping experience for our customers. It’s brilliant to have such a strong property pipeline across London in the months ahead. We want to bring more of that M&S magic to communities and on the commute, and we’re doing just that, just in time for the festive season.” The comments were published on the company’s corporate site and echoed across local coverage.

Time Out listed launch dates as Wimbledon Quarter on 13 October, Temple Fortune on 15 October and Covent Garden on 15 October, followed by openings in November at Clapham Common and Fulham Broadway, and Chiswick in December. Retail Gazette reported that the six new openings and renewal launches form part of the £90 million investment announced earlier this year.

The Covent Garden foodhall also represents Marks & Spencer’s push to deepen its footprint in central locations with commuter and tourist traffic, while the renewal strategy suggests the business is balancing new sites with upgrades to existing stores to drive footfall and improve the shopping experience. The retailer has also recently extended its chairman’s tenure, according to Retail Gazette, as it pursues store growth and operational changes through the busy pre-Christmas trading period.

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