Marks & Spencer outlines reopening plans
Marks & Spencer has outlined its plans to reopen all of its clothing and home space across its stores when lockdown restrictions are eased for retailers on 12 April.
It has also launched a new campaign called ‘Bring On’ to “put a spotlight” on the clothing products customers are searching for online as they look ahead to the return of social events over the summer. The campaign will also cover M&S Food with ‘Bring on the BBQ’.
Alison Grainger, M&S’s head of clothing and home for retail, said: “We know lots of customers are excited about dressing up for picnics and alfresco dining with friends & family and our stores will be bursting with tiered dresses, pretty tops and new seasonal denim. Whilst it’s no longer all just about loungewear, as you would expect we’re going to be dedicating more space to casualwear in our shops than pre-pandemic.”
M&S said changes in customers’ shopping habits have been accelerated by Covid-19 so is setting stores up to suit how customers want to shop today. The retailer will be retaining greeters at shop entrances, offering easier ways to pay, and giving customers access to services such as contact free bra fitting.
It has also introduced an 8pm cut-off for free next day pick-up for click and collect orders at at over 800 stores and is trialling new innovations like express collection and digital check-in at around twenty stores to make collecting orders even easier.
In addition, the retailer will be connecting customers via video appointment with specialist staff in-store at its White City shop as part of a pilot that offers them consultations on furniture and beauty purchases.
Meanwhile, nearly 100 M&S Cafes will be open for takeaway, with 14 also offering dedicated outdoor seating areas.
Sacha Berendji, M&S retail, ops and property director, said: “The last year has accelerated many of the trends and shopping patterns we were seeing pre-crisis, and we have responded as part of our Never the Same Again transformation programme to build a shopping experience that’s fit for the future and one that enables customers to shop the way they want.
“As we start to reopen our clothing and home space, we’ve pulled out all the stops to deliver the stylish, relevant products our customers are searching for, and help deliver a more flexible, easier and rewarding shopping experience for our customers so that they have everything they need to be ready to bring on the summer.”
