M&S CEO Steve Rowe confirms stores will remain open

Marks & Spencer has announced that all of its stores will remain open, with its business operations continuing, as it puts new measures in place to support staff and customers amid the spread of coronavirus.

In a statement, the company confirmed it is transferring 4,600 roles from its clothing & home and café teams to support its food department.

M&S’s clothing staff will still be available to advise customers but the retailer’s cubicle-based fitting services have been closed until further notice.

Marks & Spencer Chief Executive Steve Rowe said: "Colleagues across the stores and supply chain have been provided with additional hygiene products to use and extra cleaning is taking place to keep up our excellent standards for you and our teams"

M&S has also introduced a contact-free delivery service for all clothing, home, flowers, hampers and wine orders to allow for zero hand-to-hand contact – with the driver leaving the delivery at a customer’s door.

The company also have confirmed it is offering currency refunds to any Marks & Spencer Bank customers that are no longer able to travel due to COVID-19.

“Now, as ever, the entire M&S team - across our stores, our support centres, our warehouses and in our supply chain - is working tirelessly to deliver for our customers

“This is only possible through the dedication of our colleagues and I would like to express my thanks to each and every member of the M&S family. I would also like to say a huge thank you to you, our customers, for your loyalty and understanding during these exceptional times.”