M&S is investing heavily in its store estate at present and as well as adding more food-only stores, it's also upgrading its fashion offer in many of its larger spaces, as well as adding new, bigger, full-line stores. The latest is in West Midlands mall Merry Hill.

It will be introducing its latest store concept to the top-10 UK destination, following “a combined significant investment package”from the retailer and the landlord .

M&S has been at Merry Hill for 35 years and the decision to invest in the centre, introducing a brand-new fit-out and an M&S café for the first time, “signifies a long-term commitment from the brand, creating a best-in-class anchor space for Merry Hill”.

Working in partnership with Merry Hill’s owners, M&S will be consolidating its offer from its two current units into one, with the store next to Primark set to expand to an overall area of 93,000 sq ft to accommodate the new concept. It will include a full fashion collection across womenswear, kidswear, and menswear, as well as larger home and beauty departments, and a refreshed, larger Foodhall. The destination will also be home to a new-look M&S standalone café-in-mall area when the refurbished store opens in late 2025.

Graeme Jones, Executive Director at Sovereign Centros from CBRE, on behalf of Merry Hill, said: “The last couple of years have been transformational for Merry Hill, and agreeing with M&S to invest in the destination means we’re carrying that momentum forward. They have a strong legacy here and the move into one store will provide them with a great platform for growth which will also benefit the centre as a whole, particularly our customers.

“It’s no coincidence that M&S’ investment has come to Merry Hill, joining our super regional peers in having the latest concept from a brand every destination wants. That makes this collaboration incredibly important as it means we can showcase M&S as a key anchor tenant with a lasting commitment to Merry Hill, delivering the best experience possible for our visitors.”