As part of a major redesign of its UK stores, Marks & Spencer (M&S) has announced plans to close 11 of its in-store cafés. The store, renowned for its food halls and clothing lines, continues to refine its operations to meet the evolving needs of its customers. This latest decision is consistent with M&S’s wider goal to refresh its shopping experience, streamline operations, and focus more on its successful food business.
M&S Cafes Closure
M&S’s transformation of its shops is taking a new phase with the shutdown of 11 cafés. The company plans to redeploy funds into updating store designs, launching new online initiatives, and enhancing the overall shopping experience. To accommodate the extended menus, self-service options, and improved customer facilities, M&S will phase out its older café models.
New Dining Concept of M&S
M&S will pilot new and improved café formats at several stores, despite the closure of some existing cafés. The company plans new dining areas with faster service, healthier meals, and more seating for busy customers. The brand’s focus on price, quality, and convenience—three drivers that have defined M&S’s food image for years—should be incorporated into these new formats.
Customer Experience
Improving the food hall experience, which remains one of the most successful areas of M&S’s business, is the central aim of the redesign. The company continues to invest heavily in ready meals, fresh produce, and food for customers who are constantly on the go. M&S will revamp food halls with better lighting, simpler layouts, and improved displays for a faster, more enjoyable shopping experience.
M&S says the transformation combines customer warmth and quality with modern retail efficiency. It integrates advanced technology like self-checkouts and digital signs to help customers find meal ideas and offers.
Supporting Staff
M&S reiterated that all employees affected by the closure of the cafés will receive full assistance. The company expects to shift a large number of employees to other departments or food halls within the same stores. The company emphasised that, even in its ongoing restructuring, it remains committed to saving jobs wherever feasible.
M&S Strategy
M&S’s ambitious “store renewal” strategy, which aims to modernise more than 100 stores over the next few years, is part of the café closures. Bigger, more modern stores that bring food, clothing, and home departments under one roof have already replaced several of the older sites.
M&S aims to boost convenience and reach more shoppers by merging operations and moving to accessible retail parks and malls. In the long term, the company hopes to operate fewer, more profitable stores across the United Kingdom.
Changing Shopping Habits
In recent years, more shoppers have turned to quick-service restaurants and online shopping. In finding equilibrium between physical presence and digital advancement, M&S’s strategy reflects its effort to adapt to these trends.
Apart from ensuring that its in-store experience remains stimulating and captivating, the retailer continues to invest in its online grocery alliance with Ocado. Executives say this dual approach will help M&S remain competitive in a tough retail environment.
M&S Customers
Customer responses to the closures have been mixed. Some customers disliked losing their local M&S cafés, while others welcomed the modern upgrades. Analysts say the closures align with M&S’s strategy to focus on premium food and quality retail experiences.
M&S expects the upgrades to draw new customers and strengthen its long-term success. By eliminating struggling areas and investing in modern ones, M&S continually redefines what it means to shop in Britain today.
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