Marks & Spencer is planning to open 150 new food stores in the next three years as its groceries continue to outsell clothes and homewares.
The firm to double the pace of expansion in food as the company continues to take market share from rivals, The Guardian reports.
The paper also reported that the retailer is taking its standalone food stores into Europe via its first international food franchise deal after a successful trial of six stores in Holland.
About ten stores will open at stations and airports in France in a new partnership with Relay, a convenience store chain.
M&S currently only has two stores in France, both of which sell a mix of food and clothing. Further food outlets will also open in Holland in BP petrol forecourts after a successful trial with the fuel company.
But M&S Marc Bolland said the business will only open food stores across Europe as far as it was possible to deliver fresh products by the next day.
Half of the new food stores in the UK will be opened with franchise partners. But at least half of the new Simply Food outlets in the UK will be in stores larger than 9,000 sq ft, or 10,000 sq ft with a car park, where M&S can offer its full range of food.
M&S has been driving sales by adding 1,000 more products to its ranges so it can now offer 7,000 different items.
And, in a challenge to fast-growing frozen food retailers, the company will begin offering frozen ready meals for the first time next year.
