Store gallery: Marks & Spencer unveils fresh-look food hall

The upgraded food hall at the retailer’s Hempstead Valley branch in Kent emphasises M&S’ fresh food credentials and includes more plastic-free produce, locally sourced lines and engagement features such as a clucking chicken egg display alongside specialist advisors such as sommeliers.

The changes have been led by M&S food managing director Stuart Machin, who is determined to offer the full grocery range in more shops. At present only 12 branches do.

Last year M&S’ food sales slipped 0.6% amid intense supermarket competition. Highlighting the entire offer to more shoppers is also seen as important as the retailer prepares to start selling food online through a joint venture with Ocado.

M&S has increased the size of the food hall at Hempstead Valley from 9,500sq ft to 16,000sq ft, enabling it to add 30% more product.

The fresh produce section has been doubled in size to include more produce such as locally supplied strawberries. The bakery space has also been doubled to “highlight the freshness and depth of product range”, while the frozen offer has been increased by 75% and is now M&S’ biggest at 291 product lines.

The retailer is also promoting its value for money through dedicated ‘hot spots’ throughout the hall.

M&S said “sustainability has been factored into the design process”. Alongside plastic reduction initiatives, black fridges help products to stand out as well as consuming 20% less energy than their predecessors.

Fun features include an oinking Percy Pig stand and child-sized trolleys, and a click-and-collect point has been “more conveniently” sited next to the food hall.

Machin emphasised that the overhaul is not a “finished article” ready for roll-out.

He told Retail Week: “We want to create a fantastic shopping experience and a store with the mind of a supermarket and the soul of a fresh market. Hempstead Valley is a step in that direction. More fresh, more range and a different look and feel.

“This is still a trial and this new format will evolve as I would like us to be more digital and create an even bigger, fresher market food store.

“We chose Hempstead Valley as it was a solid-performing store with a broad customer profile and we know the catchment would create an opportunity to attract more family shoppers.”