Marks and Spencer’s food haul

Chain to open giant supermarkets

MARKS & Spencer is set to open supermarket-sized food stores in a bid to appeal to families.

The company plans to overhaul its image by launching new shops of 12,000ft to 15,000ft, and adapting existing branches to offer a wider range of groceries.

In a letter to M&S suppliers, food MD Stuart Machin said the move would help the firm compete with Waitrose, Sainsbury’s and Tesco as a destination for families doing their weekly shop.

It comes as the Mirror High Street Fightback campaign seeks to revive dwindling town centres.

The Mirror is demanding a fund to revitalise high streets, better public transport into towns and an end to rip-off parking charges.

We also want a new tax on online sales, a review of planning laws and council powers for neglected sites, and rate relief for firms that take empty stores. As well as introducing new branches, some existing M&S stores will be revamped with areas selling clothes converted to food.

The letter reportedly said: “We are starting a store renewal programme that will get more products in front of customers with bigger, better M&S food halls in new and existing sites. It is assumed that M&S Food isn’t a fullrange business.

“That is not true. Our full range is unrivalled in taste and quality. We have over 6,500 lines... we just don’t get them in front of customers.

“Our full range is only available in a dozen or so stores. This must change and it will.”

Mr Machin also said the plans are designed to “bust” the “misunderstanding” M&S is only for “singles and couples”.

M&S will also replace Waitrose as the main supplier for food delivery service Ocado next year in a £750million deal. NATIONWIDE says it will retain a branch in every town and city where it has one, until at least May 2021. The building society has around 650 sites. Boss Joe Garner said strong high streets “are vital”.