UK. SSP UK, in partnership with Network Rail, has opened the largest Marks & Spencer (M&S) store in the rail channel at London Waterloo station. The two-storey outlet measures over 9,500sq ft and incorporates more than 5,000sq ft of general merchandise, including womenswear, menswear and accessories. The outlet also features an in-store bakery and an expanded food section, which will stock a range of M&S items, including a comprehensive “˜food on the move’ selection.
The new unit is located at the heart of the station in the same position as SSP’s previous M&S Simply Food outlet, which yielded the highest sales per square foot of any store in the SSP M&S estate. SSP said it expects this store to be one of the strongest performing M&S station stores in the UK.
SSP CEO UK and Ireland Simon Smith said: “Having operated M&S Simply Food at busy stations and airports across the UK for many years, SSP has a strong track record in managing retail outlets in the travel sector, a sound understanding of the needs of our customers and logistics of the station environment. This made us the ideal partners for M&S and Network Rail as we embark on this exciting new venture.”
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The new M&S store at London Waterloo is officially opened |
Steve Kemp, Head of Foods Operations and Hospitality at Marks & Spencer, said: “We are delighted to be opening M&S’s largest station store alongside our long-standing franchise partner, SSP. We look forward to bringing our innovative food and stylish clothing lines to all those who use or work at the station.”
Hamish Kiernan, Director of Retail at Network Rail said: “Our stations are becoming fantastic destinations in their own right. We maximise their potential to create jobs and support growth by creating amazing places that delight our customers while providing a safe and efficient environment to travel. We’re delighted that M&S has increased the size and product range at its store in Waterloo, which will significantly enhance the station’s retail offer to travellers, local communities and shoppers alike.”
Waterloo Station has undergone a major transformation over the last five years, with Network Rail investing £25 million to build the new retail balcony as part of a major drive to reinvent the station as a destination. Network Rail said the improvements have increased passenger satisfaction by over +11%, reduced congestion and improved passenger access, as well as increasing like-for-like sales in the first years since completion by +27%.
SSP has been operating the M&S brand since 2001, when it opened its first Simply Food outlet at London’s Liverpool Street station. Today the company runs 58 stores (including the new store at Waterloo) across the UK.
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