Marks and Spencer to Close 11 Cafés, Shift Focus to Food Halls

Marks and Spencer (M&S) has announced plans to close 11 cafés across its UK locations as part of a strategic shift to enhance its food offerings. The closures will impact less than four percent of the retailer’s 316 food stores, enabling M&S to repurpose café space for more in-demand products within its smaller food halls.

The company has assured that no staff will face redundancy due to these changes. Employees affected by the closures will be reassigned to other areas within the store. M&S is committed to maintaining its workforce while modernising its food business, focusing on delivering a broader range of products to its customers.

Investment and Expansion Plans

This move is part of M&S’s ambitious £300 million investment plan, which includes the opening of approximately 100 new food halls. The retailer has also announced the introduction of new coffee shops, with one set to open in its flagship store located in the heart of Bristol. According to an M&S spokesperson, “As we look to modernise our food business and offer the best of M&S Food to more people, more often, we’re investing in our store estate to give our customers the widest possible product range.”

The spokesperson further noted that the transformation includes repurposing café space in 11 smaller food stores, which is a fraction of the over 300 cafés, coffee shops, and coffee-to-go locations operated by M&S. While the company has yet to disclose which specific cafés will close or their final days of operation, it continues to adapt its offerings to meet customer demands.

Challenges and Recovery

M&S is navigating a challenging landscape following a significant cyberattack that began in mid-April 2023. The incident is expected to set the business back by approximately £300 million, as it led to a six-week halt in online orders and the potential compromise of personal details for millions of customers.

The chairman of M&S informed Members of Parliament that the attack seemed aimed at disrupting business operations significantly. Other retailers, including Co-op and Harrods, also fell victim to cyberattacks, which have disrupted supply chains and left some shelves empty for extended periods.

In response to these challenges, M&S has already converted several full-line stores into dedicated food stores as part of its long-term redevelopment strategy. The company aims to operate around 420 food stores by the end of 2028, reinforcing its commitment to adapt and thrive in a competitive retail environment.

As M&S moves forward with its plans, the focus on enhancing food offerings and expanding its café presence demonstrates the company’s dedication to meeting consumer preferences while navigating significant operational challenges.