Marks & Spencer has announced that it is opening a new 60,000 sq ft clothing and food store at British Land’s Giltbrook Retail Park in Nottingham in the summer of 2020, as part of its efforts to reshape its store estate.
The announcement comes less than two weeks before M&S opens a major new store in Cornwall – it’s first clothing store opening in the South West for 10 years.
Both stores are part of M&S’s store transformation plan – with the retailer closing, relocating, opening and renewing stores to offer customers “the very best experience.”
Up to 150 new and existing M&S colleagues will work at the new store in Nottingham, with recruitment beginning in spring 2020.
Sacha Berendji, retail, operations and property director at M&S said, “Customers’ shopping habits are changing and so it’s important we change to reflect the way they want to shop – seamlessly integrating our in-store and online experiences. Stores remain fundamental to how we serve customers and we can’t wait to open in this great location.”
M&S chose the retail park because of its free parking – with 2,300 spaces – and the right store and leisure facilities mix including cafes, restaurants, major retailers and a children’s playground.
The location of the store is an area M&S has been looking to open in for several years. Giltbrook Retail Park is easily accessible to customers in both Derby and Nottingham, and these two areas have a combined population of 750,000 people – the biggest population in the UK not served by an out of town M&S store.
Ben Grose, head of retail leasing at British Land commented: “Retailers continue to open stores in well located and well managed destinations that support omni-channel retail. We are delighted that M&S has chosen Giltbrook Retail Park to open one of its new, family-focussed stores. It is a testament to our strong asset management expertise and ability to create vibrant retail locations.”
For clothing, the click & collect point will be easily accessible and the store will offer contemporary, easy-to-wear stylish clothing across all categories. The store will complement M&S’s existing Nottingham town centre offering.
In early October, M&S told analysts that turning around its embattled clothing division was “behind schedule,” but the new store openings in key locations signal a step in the right direction.
