What: Marks & Spencer is rolling out the WalkSafe Pro personal safety app to staff, partnering with Mitie for 24/7 support and designating stores as “safe spaces” for employees and the public.

Why it is important: The rollout highlights the growing importance of staff safety in brand reputation and employee engagement strategies across the retail industry.

Marks & Spencer is enhancing staff wellbeing and security by introducing the WalkSafe Pro personal safety app for employees across its business, in partnership with facilities management company Mitie. The app provides features such as live journey sharing, SOS alerts, and real-time safety information, offering support both during and outside work hours. As part of the initiative, M&S stores will gradually become designated “safe spaces” on the WalkSafe app, enabling members of the public to seek reassurance or assistance in-store if they feel unsafe. Employees will receive training to ensure consistent and appropriate responses to those seeking help. This move comes amid rising retail violence and security incidents in the UK, and follows a series of M&S investments in staff engagement, operational security, and collective safety measures. By prioritising employee safety and community support, M&S is reinforcing its brand values and responding proactively to evolving risks in the retail environment.

IADS Notes: Marks & Spencer’s rollout of the WalkSafe Pro personal safety app for staff is the latest in a series of initiatives aimed at reinforcing employee wellbeing and security across its operations. This move follows the transformation of the Sparks loyalty programme in April 2026, which introduced new benefits for staff and customers, underscoring M&S’s commitment to engagement and support (Fashion Network, April 2026). The company’s focus on safety has been heightened by recent incidents, such as the carbon monoxide leak in December 2025 that led to staff hospitalisations and prompted a renewed emphasis on robust health and safety protocols (Retail Week, December 2025). M&S’s £300 million investment in store transformation and digital recovery after a major cyber-attack further demonstrates its resilience and prioritisation of staff support and operational security (Retail Week, July 2025). The appointment of a transformation leader in the fashion division in September 2025 also reflects the retailer’s ongoing commitment to operational change and employee engagement (Retail Week, September 2025). Additionally, M&S’s participation in a £23 million collective security investment in London’s West End highlights the sector-wide focus on staff and customer safety amid rising crime and security concerns (Retail Week, May 2026).

M&S rolls out personal safety app for staff