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Marks and Spencer has opened a new 100,000 sq ft flagship store at Merry Hill shopping centre, bringing together two former units to create its latest renewal store concept.The opening represents a joint investment by the retailer and the landlord, marking a “significant” reinvestment after 35 years at the West Midlands centre.
The new store features a fresh market-style foodhall with wider aisles, an expanded product range and produce from M&S Select Farm suppliers. It also includes an in-store bakery, dedicated wine and flower shops, as well as a cheese barge.
Fashion, home and beauty departments have been redesigned to create a more integrated layout, with womenswear now on the lower mall and home, menswear and childrenswear on the upper level.
A new M&S Coffee Shop has also opened just outside the main store, offering breakfast and lunch dishes, cakes and pastries, and barista-made drinks.
The site is among more than 20 new or renewed M&S stores due to open across the UK before the end of the financial year.
Calum Telford, regional manager at M&S, said: “M&S Merry Hill is one of more than 20 new or renewed stores we are opening across the UK in the remainder of this financial year, and it’s fantastic for customers to see the full transformation.
“Renewing our stores is all about delivering the very best of M&S and the best possible shopping experience for our customers. Our transformed store does just that and our focus is now on delivering the trusted value and exceptional quality we’re known for. As we celebrate 35 years at Merry Hill, it is brilliant to be starting this next era for the store.”
Graeme Jones, executive director at Sovereign Centros from CBRE, on behalf of Merry Hill, added: “This opening builds on the centre’s transformation in recent years. It’s a move that wouldn’t have been possible a few years ago, but with Merry Hill thriving, the time is right to create a growth platform for M&S and use that evolution to unlock new opportunities.
“Importantly, it delivers even more for our customers, enhancing the visitor experience at M&S, and allowing us to introduce new brands that have wanted to be here for a while, and are now willing to commit to Merry Hill, having seen the significant changes that have taken place.”
