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M&S Launches 'Megastore' Format in Canterbury

  //food-wine.news-articles.net/content/2026/02/25/m-s-launches-megastore-format-in-canterbury.html
  Published in Food and Wine on Wednesday, February 25th 2026 at 20:51 GMT by The Sun
      Locales:

Canterbury, Kent - February 26th, 2026 - Marks & Spencer (M&S), a mainstay of the British high street, today announced details of a significant shift in its retail strategy: the launch of a new 'modern megastore' format. These expansive stores, exceeding the size of the company's existing outlets, represent a bold investment in the physical retail experience at a time when many retailers are scaling back brick-and-mortar presence. The first of these ambitious projects is slated to open in Canterbury, Kent, in Autumn 2026, with plans for further rollouts across the United Kingdom.

The Canterbury store, taking over the former B&Q site, will boast an impressive 80,000 square feet of retail space. This considerable footprint will allow M&S to consolidate its food, clothing, and home ranges under a single roof, creating a one-stop shopping destination for customers. Beyond simply combining departments, the new store is designed to offer a vastly improved shopping experience. M&S emphasizes a "modern aesthetic" that translates to wider aisles, a more intuitive layout, and significantly increased space for customers to browse comfortably. This addresses a common complaint among shoppers - the often-cramped conditions found in older M&S stores, particularly during peak hours.

This isn't merely about square footage; it's about fundamentally rethinking how M&S presents its offerings. Experts suggest the move is a strategic response to changing consumer habits. While online shopping continues to grow, many shoppers still value the immediacy and sensory experience of physical retail. M&S appears to be aiming to create stores that are destinations, not just points of transaction. The larger space allows for more compelling visual merchandising, opportunities for product demonstrations, and potential for in-store services like personal styling or food sampling.

The Canterbury location will also bring a substantial economic boost to the local area, creating approximately 200 new jobs. This commitment to job creation is particularly noteworthy given the current economic climate and the ongoing challenges faced by many high street retailers. The decision to repurpose the former B&Q site further demonstrates M&S's commitment to responsible development, revitalizing a previously vacant property.

The announcement comes alongside a period of broader transformation for M&S. The company recently undertook a program of store closures, shuttering 11 locations in 2024. However, these closures are not indicative of a retreat from physical retail, but rather a calculated move to streamline the portfolio and pave the way for these larger, more modern stores. M&S leadership has repeatedly stated the intention to focus on fewer, but significantly improved, locations.

"We're excited to be bringing a new-look Marks & Spencer store to Canterbury, offering our customers a wider range of our quality food, stylish clothing and home products in a modern and convenient setting," a spokesperson for M&S stated. "The new store will be significantly larger than our current store on High Street, and will offer a much wider range of products."

The broader implications of this strategy extend beyond M&S itself. It signals a potential shift in the retail landscape, where larger, experience-focused stores could become increasingly common. If the Canterbury megastore proves successful, we may see other retailers follow suit, investing in larger formats to attract shoppers and compete with the convenience of online shopping. The emphasis on creating a 'comprehensive shopping experience' suggests M&S is aiming to become more than just a retailer, and more of a lifestyle destination. Analysts are watching closely to see if this bold move will pay off and redefine the future of the British high street. The integration of all product lines under one roof, coupled with a focus on spaciousness and modern design, is a clear attempt to cater to the evolving needs and expectations of today's consumer. The focus will be on encouraging longer dwell times within the store and maximising customer spend.