What: M&S will expand the rollout of its "M&S Opticians" service, following a successful trial.

Why it is important: As the heath and care market is expanding, retailers are trying new services to attract and retain customers in their physical stores. In France, Monoprix ‘variety store’ is also testing such a health service (see IADS Exclusive).

M&S is rolling out its M&S Opticians service, a shop-in-shop which provides sight and hearing tests in addition to selling glasses and contact lenses, across its UK estate.

The service will launch in 43 more stores over the next 18 months. Currently, the service operates across 12 UK M&S stores. The trial received a customer satisfaction rate of 96% and a customer recommendation rate of 96%. All 55 branches will be operated by optician and hearing provider Owl Optical. It will sell a range of M&S and third-party branded frames.

M&S to roll out optician offering