What: Marks & Spencer announces the opening of two flagship stores, one in Bath and one in Bristol, continuing its expansion strategy in South West England.

Why it is important: These openings represent significant investments in key locations, aiming to enhance M&S's physical retail presence and attract more customers.

Marks & Spencer is set to open two flagship stores in South West England, with a new 83,000 sq ft store in Bath's SouthGate shopping centre and an 80,000 sq ft store in Bristol's Cabot Circus. The Bath store, representing a EUR 17 million investment, will replace the current Stall Street location and combine extensive clothing, beauty, and food ranges. The Bristol store, costing EUR 21 million, will create approximately 150 new jobs and enhance M&S's presence in the city centre. These openings are part of M&S's broader "store rotation strategy" aimed at optimizing store locations and spaces to improve customer experience. The new stores in Bath and Bristol reflect M&S's continued investment in its physical retail infrastructure, with over 45 stores currently operating across the South West and further plans to open more stores across the UK.

M&S to open new flagships in Bath and Bristol