Marks & Spencer has officially launched its newly redeveloped 100,000 sq ft flagship store at Merry Hill, reinforcing its commitment to the shopping centre after 35 years. The significant expansion combines two previous units into one renewed retail space, forming part of a wider investment by both M&S and the landlord to support the destination’s growth and continued appeal to major retailers.
The upgraded M&S location features a brand-new market-style foodhall designed to enhance the customer experience. The foodhall includes wider aisles and an expanded range of products, with produce sourced from M&S’s Select Farm partners. It also introduces several new elements including a fresh bakery, a wine shop, a flower shop, and an “iconic cheese barge”.
A new M&S Coffee Shop has been opened just outside the main store entrance. The café serves a selection of breakfast and lunch options, as well as cakes, pastries, iced drinks, and barista-made coffee, giving customers additional space to relax during their visit.
The store’s fashion, home and beauty departments have also undergone significant changes. Home, menswear and kidswear are now co-located on the upper mall level, creating a full family shopping area, while womenswear has moved to the lower mall. The reconfiguration aims to streamline the layout and improve the overall customer journey.
Graeme Jones, Executive Director at Sovereign Centros from CBRE, speaking on behalf of Merry Hill, stated: “This opening builds on the centre’s transformation in recent years. It’s a move that wouldn’t have been possible a few years ago, but with Merry Hill thriving, the time is right to create a growth platform for M&S and use that evolution to unlock new opportunities. Importantly, it delivers even more for our customers, enhancing the visitor experience at M&S, and allowing us to introduce new brands that have wanted to be here for a while, and are now willing to commit to Merry Hill, having seen the significant changes that have taken place.”
Calum Telford, Regional Manager at M&S, added: “M&S Merry Hill is one of more than 20 new or renewed stores we are opening across the UK in the remainder of this financial year, and it’s fantastic for customers to see the full transformation. Renewing our stores is all about delivering the very best of M&S and the best possible shopping experience for our customers. Our transformed store does just that and our focus is now on delivering the trusted value and exceptional quality we’re known for. As we celebrate 35 years at Merry Hill, it is brilliant to be starting this next era for the store.”
The store’s opening follows a broader revitalisation across Merry Hill, with recent additions including Hollywood Bowl, global home retailer Harvey Norman, premium fitness operator XF Gym, and the upcoming launch of Funstation. These developments underscore the shopping centre’s ongoing transformation and its attractiveness to a wide range of national and international brands.
Time Retail Partners, Font Real Estate, and JLL represent Merry Hill, working alongside CBRE to deliver the latest wave of leasing and retail enhancements.
