Marks & Spencer reveals details of more store closures

The decision means more than 100 branches will now shut by 2022 as chief executive Steve Rowe pushes on with his turnaround programme.

In nine of the stores proposed for closure, M&S has begun consultations with 626 affected staff.

The retailer said that “alongside relocations, conversions, downsizes and the introduction of concessions, these closures will radically reshape M&S’s clothing and home space”.

M&S retail, operations and property director Sacha Berendji said: “We are making good progress with our plans to reshape our store estate to be more relevant to our customers and support our online growth plans.

“Closing stores isn’t easy but it is vital for the future of M&S. Where we have closed stores, we are seeing an encouraging number of customers moving to nearby stores and enjoying shopping with us in a better environment, which is why we’re continuing to transform our estate with pace.”

M&S aims for an estate of clothing and home stores that are “larger, digitally enabled, better located and more inspirational for customers to shop”.

The intention is that they should be “supported by a seamless online experience across all digital channels including mobile and social, and by a conveniently located network of food stores that offer customers a next-day collect-in-store service for clothing and home purchases”.