What: The UK department store group will be investing GBP 12.5 million this year, building on the GBP 10.3 million investment it made last year.

Why it is important: M&S has invested nearly GBP 23 million in London over the past two years, with the new stores set to create over 200 new jobs.

A majority of the investment will be going towards boosting food sales, as sales for grab and go items are higher in the city, but non-food upgrades are also in the works.

The investment plan intends to help the retailer reach even more customers across London as a third of its stores are located in the city and its suburbs.

Last year, the renewal of its Kingston full-line store resulted in an 8% increase in Clothing & Home sales. The group also plans to fully renew its Victoria Cardinal Place store and redevelop its Marble Arch store to be in the top 1% of London’s sustainable buildings.

M&S invests millions more in London stores