M&S opens 100,000 sq ft 'renewed' flagship store at Merry Hill

Marks & Spencer has opened its latest 100,000 sq ft flagship renewal-concept store at Merry Hill, marking one of the retailer’s most significant site reinventions this year.

The launch comes as M&S pushes ahead with a £300 million investment in new, upsized and renewed stores across the UK this financial year. The retailer is currently assessing over 300 potential locations nationwide, with plans to open 16 new stores, upsize nine and refurbish a further 12. It forms part of a wider strategy that will see M&S operate 180 full-line stores and 420 food halls by FY2028, following what CEO Stuart Machin has described as "a significant acceleration in momentum" across the estate.

The new Merry Hill store brings together two former units into a single flagship space, representing a major reinvestment after 35 years at the centre. The renewal concept features an expanded, market-style foodhall with wider aisles, M&S Select Farm produce, an in-store bakery, dedicated Wine and Flower Shops and a statement cheese barge. Across fashion, home and beauty, the store has been completely reconfigured, with womenswear relocated to the lower mall and home, menswear and kidswear consolidated into a full lifestyle destination on the upper level. Plus, a new M&S Coffee Shop sits just outside the main store, offering breakfast, lunch, pastries and barista-made drinks.

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."