M&S to redesign stores

Marks & Spencer, Britain's largest clothing retailer, has said it is to trial new formats in 12 outlets in a move to develop "a fresh approach to store design".

The group has sold off many of its operations outside the UK in order to salvage its 330 M&S stores.

The company got rid of more than 220 Brooks Brothers clothing stores in the US and Asia (to Retail Brand Alliance, 2001) and its 18 M&S stores in France (to Galeries Lafayette, 2001). It still has M&S stores in Ireland.

Work on all 12 stores will start shortly and they will trade throughout the redevelopment period, with leading British architects to be appointed to work with the retailer.

The cost of the project has not been made public.

At 1.15pm shares in M&S were up by 3%, at 294-3/4.