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Get your free copy12 September 2011, 08:17 AM
- Marc Bolland, chief executive at Marks & Spencer, unveiled the first of the company's revamped stores yesterday, complete with a new deli counter, rustic-looking bakery and fresh pasta machine
The updated shop, in High Street Kensington, is the first of 14 pilot outlets, and is part of a £600m investment. Mr Bolland hopes the money will help M&S increase its sales by more than £1bn over the next three years.
The new food offering is aimed to compete with the ‘gourmet’ deli counters on offer in Waitrose and Morrisons store, although the chief executive admitted it was uncertain how many of the company’s outlets would have the full range of food.
The new stores will feature 1000 extra lines, as well as 100 exclusive international brands. “We sell products unique to us. You can’t find some of this food anywhere else in Britain,” said Mr Bolland.
Other new concepts to be implemented across the pilot stores include the introduction of ‘shops within shops’ for clothing ranges such as Per Una and Autograph, as well as a partnership with luxury homeware company The Conran Shop.
