In a bold move, Marks & Spencer (M&S) is set to open its first-ever clothing-only store at London’s Battersea Power Station this autumn. The decision comes on the back of a resurgence in the retailer’s fashion sales, prompting the company to showcase its clothing range in a dedicated space.
The new store, simply branded as “Marks & Spencer,” will offer a curated selection of women’s and menswear, focusing on M&S’s premium lines and a range of beauty products. Stuart Machin, chief executive of M&S, expressed confidence in the trial store, stating that it would “showcase the best of M&S clothing and beauty at outstanding value.”
The success of the Battersea experiment could pave the way for more standalone clothing and beauty stores across the country. The upmarket shopping centre, which opened in 2022, has already proven to be a favourable location for M&S, with its food hall performing well among the affluent consumers who frequent the London landmark.
The boutique-style shop will be more compact than a typical M&S store, with staff available to provide styling advice. Customers can expect to find lingerie, £99 cashmere jumpers, and items from the fashion-forward Autograph line.
Retail industry expert Richard Hyman of Thought Provoking Consulting believes that a clothing-only store is a sensible move for M&S, as most people do not shop for food and clothing simultaneously. He also noted that improvements in M&S’s clothing range have positioned the retailer to compete with the likes of Zara.
Under the guidance of chairman Archie Norman and the leadership of Stuart Machin, M&S has managed to reverse the decline in its clothing business, which generates higher profits than its food division. Womenswear director Maddy Evans, previously of Topshop, has been instrumental in shedding the retailer’s reputation for frumpy frocks, instead offering slimmed-down ranges that appeal to women across a broad age spectrum.
Recent collaborations with actress Sienna Miller and style icons Alexa Chung and Holly Willoughby have further bolstered M&S’s fashion credentials, with many items from these capsule collections selling out quickly.
The company’s efforts have paid off, with total clothing and homeware sales rising by 5.3 per cent to £3.9 billion in the year to March, generating an underlying operating profit of £402.8 million. As a result, M&S now accounts for one pound in every ten that Brits spend on clothes.
Investors have taken notice of the retailer’s turnaround, with shares in M&S rising by 56 per cent to 335.9p over the past year, valuing the company at £6.89 billion. As M&S continues to innovate and adapt to changing consumer preferences, the launch of its standalone clothing store in Battersea Power Station marks an exciting new chapter in the retailer’s history.
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