London's retail landscape is getting a festive boost this week as high street giant Marks & Spencer opens the doors to two brand new food halls in the capital. The strategic openings in Clapham and Fulham arrive just in time for the crucial Christmas shopping period, offering residents new, convenient locations to stock up on seasonal treats and essentials.
A Festive Boost for London Shoppers
The new stores are part of a significant £90 million 'London investment' plan announced by the retailer, which aims to open six new locations in the capital before Christmas. This week's launches represent the fourth and fifth stores in that pipeline, following three that opened back in October. A sixth and final shop in Chiswick is scheduled to make its debut in early December.
This expansion comes as M&S continues its wider £300 million investment programme to upgrade its supermarkets across the country. The strategy has seen a shift in focus, including the closure of some cafés earlier this year, with a new emphasis on enhanced food halls and new coffee shops serving barista-made Fairtrade coffee.
First Look at the New Stores
The two new food halls each have their own distinct character and opening schedule. The Clapham Common branch officially launched on Thursday, November 20. To mark the occasion, the opening was celebrated with a special performance from the City of Stars musical theatre choir, who feature in this year's M&S Food Christmas advert.
This new location spans a substantial 6,700 square feet. Shoppers can explore a large bakery section offering freshly made pastries, cakes, and bread, alongside a range of ethically farmed produce and popular meal-deal options. While there isn't a full café, the store features a dedicated coffee counter where customers can order barista-made drinks.
The Fulham Broadway location is set to be even larger, opening its doors on Friday, November 21. This spacious 10,900 square foot store will operate from 7am on weekdays, though it will open slightly later, at 8am, on its inaugural Friday. Together, these two new stores have created a welcome 100 new jobs for the local communities.
Strengthening M&S's London Presence
Commenting on the new openings, M&S Retail Director Thinus Keeve emphasised the company's commitment to the capital. He stated that M&S wants to be 'proud of every store we have across the capital' and highlighted the 'strong property pipeline across London in the months ahead.'
'We want to bring more of that M&S magic to communities and on the commute,' Keeve added, 'and we’re doing just that, just in time for the festive season.' This sentiment underscores a clear strategic push to embed M&S more deeply into the daily lives of Londoners, offering premium food retail options in key residential and commuter hubs.
