Marks & Spencer names IKEA manager as store director

Marks & Spencer has appointed Marsha Smith as Store Director for the West as the business continues to invest in its store estate across the UK.

Smith will join the British retailer in September from IKEA, where she has progressed from Customer Relations Manager to Country Deputy Retail Manager in the UK and Ireland over 20 years.

In a post on LinkedIn, Smith said: "Having had twenty amazing years with a brand I adore, I’m delighted to share I am fortunate to join another! In September I join Marks and Spencer.

"My family and I love popping into M&S at the weekend, the quality, experience and gorgeous range always makes our weekend feel extra special. Extremely lucky to have the opportunity to build further on the amazing work so far and to support continued growth by ensuring we delight every single customer. Excited for the chapter ahead…"

The news comes as M&S continues to elevate its store portfolio,  with the aim of delivering more "high quality, higher productivity" full line stores thats sell its clothing, home and food ranges, while also opening over 100 "bigger and better" food sites by FY27/28.

It also plans to invest £30 million in stores across Scotland. The investment, announced earlier this year, is on top of £32 million already invested in eleven Scottish stores over the last four years.

"Investment in store rotation and the end-to-end supply chain is beginning to pay off. New stores and renewals are performing ahead of forecast and attracting new customers," said Marks & Spencer's CEO, Stuart Machin, within the retailer's recent trading update.

Last month, the high street giant delivered a 58% increase in profit before tax to £672.5 million for the year to 30 March 2024.

Its Clothing & Home division, which has been undergoing a renaissance in recent seasons, saw sales rise 5.3%. Meanwhile, food sales at M&S increased 13% during the year.