Marks & Spencer Announces Major New Store Opening in Abingdon
Marks & Spencer has officially confirmed the launch of a substantial new retail outlet in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, scheduled to open its doors next week. The expansive store spans an impressive 18,000 square feet, promising to deliver a comprehensive shopping experience to the local community.
Store Features and Opening Details
The new M&S location will be situated at the Fairacres Retail Park, with its grand opening set for Wednesday, April 22. Shoppers can look forward to a wide array of amenities, including the complete M&S food range, a dedicated bakery section, an in-store coffee counter, and a hot sandwich counter. Additionally, the store will feature an extensive fresh produce area, catering to diverse customer needs from weekly groceries to quick lunch options.
Employment Boost and Community Impact
A significant highlight of this opening is the creation of 75 new jobs, providing a welcome economic boost to the Abingdon area. These roles encompass various positions within the bakery, hot food counter, and other store departments, offering valuable employment opportunities for local residents.
Paddy Sunderland, Store Manager at M&S Abingdon, expressed enthusiasm about the launch, stating, "We cannot wait to open our brand-new store in the heart of Oxfordshire. The team and I are so excited to welcome customers through the doors and showcase the very best of M&S Food and the quality and trusted value we’re known for."
He further added, "With the full range of M&S Food products, we have everything for customers’ weekly shop but also something for everyone, whether grabbing lunch on the go or wanting to try our latest seasonal launches."
Enhanced Loyalty Scheme and Partnerships
This store opening coincides with recent updates to the M&S loyalty program, which now offers customers opportunities to earn free cash rewards on their purchases. Key benefits include:
- Earning £10 when spending £50 on fashion, home, and beauty products.
- Securing £6 when purchasing £30 worth of nightwear.
- Receiving £5 for a £35 spend in the foodhall, and £10 when buying £10 of fresh fruit.
Furthermore, M&S has partnered with Virgin Red, Virgin’s reward club, enabling shoppers to accumulate up to £130 in rewards. These funds are added to their M&S wallet when booking a Virgin Atlantic Holiday, with an additional £80 reward available for switching to Virgin Media services.
The new Abingdon store represents a strategic expansion for Marks & Spencer, reinforcing its presence in Oxfordshire while supporting local employment and offering enhanced shopping and reward experiences to customers.
