Clothing, home and food retailer Marks & Spencer has put a further 468 jobs at risk across its UK store network as it revealed more store closures as part of its modernisation plan.
In a second update to its transformation programme, M&S say a further eight stores are proposed for closure in a move it hopes will “meet the changing needs of customers”. The retailer is repositioning around 25% of its clothing and home space though closures, downsizes, relocations and conversions to food-only stores.
The stores under proposal for closure are: Andover, Basildon, Bridlington, Denton (Outlet), Falmouth, Fareham, Keighley and Stockport. The retailer previously confirmed six stores will close by the end of April.
“We’re committed to transforming M&S for our customers, colleagues and shareholders,” says Sacha Berendji, director of retail at Marks & Spencer. “Stores will always be an integral part of our customer experience, alongside M&S.com, but we have to ensure we have the right offer in the right locations.
“We don’t want any colleagues to leave M&S and we will work with each colleague individually on what is best for them as we endeavour to give everyone a role. However, we accept in some cases we may have to consider redundancy.
“We believe these changes are vital for the future of M&S and we will continue to accelerate the programme, taking tough but necessary decisions, as we focus on making M&S special.”
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By GlobalDataLast year, M&S put the brakes on its Simply Food expansion plans and will now only open 36 owned and franchise stores over the next six months.
M&S currently has 1,025 stores in the UK: 302 clothing, home and food, 684 food-only, and 39 outlets.
The update follows an announcement by the retailer earlier this month that it will be cutting around 380 jobs in the UK as it moves to adopt a single-tier distribution network for its clothing and home division with the opening of a new distribution centre.
As part of its new strategy, the retailer is undertaking a significant review of its cost base with the aim of generating a substantial reduction in legacy and structural costs. It is also undertaking a new technology transformation initiative that will enable it to become a digital first business and deliver an improvement in customer experience – but will also lead to the consolidation of its technology supplier base.
M&S could cut 380 jobs with new clothing DC
