Marks & Spencer to redesign store following e-shopping boom

 Since more consumers have turned towards online shopping because of the coronavirus, Marks & Spencer has decided to introduce some changes. The firm has announced that it is going to redesign its Oxford Street store.

The building is ten storey high. Following the development, it is expected that shop space will take up just two and a half floors. The rest of it will be used for offices. There are even rumours that there will be a leisure space including a gym and an arcade through its centre. The higher storeys will be able to accommodate 4000 office workers.

This building has been an M&S shop since 1930. Over these years, different retail sites have been merged into this location. The fashion retailer currently occupies five floors of retail and an accommodation for staff training there. Following a decrease in business, this has become too much for the firm. The M&S consultation document says: “The nature of retail is changing and customers are less likely to progress up numerous levels”.

The company M&S is not the only brand adopting such a change. Its rival John Lewis has submitted a planning permission to redevelop the top floors of its nearby Oxford Street store. It currently houses children’s ranges, electrical goods and the kitchen, bathroom departments and dining areas. These will be converted into office space for rent

M&S will occupy less retail space © Royalty-free image