M&Co to return to the high street with 50 stores

M&Co, the value fashion chain, is set to return to the high street with a major store re-opening plan under its new owner AK Retail.

A number of stores are set to re-open this autumn with 50 stores planned over the next two years. AK Retail, which also owns Yours Clothing, Bad Rhino and Long Tall Sally, acquired the M&Co name and IP back in February after the business fell into administration. Its 170-strong store estate was not part of the deal and these stores were closed in the spring.

The exact locations and the exact timings of the re-openings are yet to revealed but M&Co's website, initially selling womenswear, will return on 21 June, along with a new app.

AK Retail CEO Andrew Killingsworth, said of the plans: "We are truly excited about this acquisition and the opportunity to restore the M&Co brand. M&Co has an incredible heritage and a loyal customer following, and our goal is to honour that legacy by providing an unparalleled shopping experience while preserving the brand's identity.

"We are committed to bringing M&Co back to the high streets across the country. Our focus is on delivering quality, trend-led and affordable products to our valued customers, as well as providing exceptional service and an enjoyable shopping experience both online and offline. We are confident that our revitalisation efforts will make M&Co a go-to destination once again."

M&Co was founded in 1834 and became Mackays Stores in 1953, later rebranding as M&Co in 2005. In 2020, it first went into administration but was bought back by its Scottish owners the McGeoch family.

In December 2022, M&Co once again collapsed into administration after costs soared for the business. The company appointed administrators from the financial advisory firm Teneo, with the aim of pursuing a sale “in an accelerated timeframe", which was achieved with the help of AK Retail.