M&S to close one in four bigger stores selling clothing and homeware

Retailer to open 104 Simply Food outlets as high street chain speeds up turnaround plan amid rising costs

Marks & Spencer is planning to close 25% of its bigger stores selling clothing and homeware while opening more than 100 new Simply Food outlets, as it speeds up its turnaround plan in the face of a difficult economic backdrop" and rising costs.

The retailer told investors it aims to have 180 full-line" shops - selling its full range of food, clothing and homeware products - by early 2028, down from 247 at present, and said it would get rid of lower productivity" outlets.