M&S commits to Simply Food business

Marks & Spencer said it remained committed to its Simply Food business in the UK today after a report claimed it was about to sell up to half the estate.

Marks & Spencer said it remained committed to its Simply Food business today after a report claimed it was about to sell up to half the estate.

A spokeswoman said the format had been a successful one for M&S, although the future of a small number of under-performing outlets was being looked at.

Simply Food launched in the summer of 2001 and now features 119 outlets situated on high streets and busy locations such as railway stations.

The Mail on Sunday said today that a list of stores for sale had been circulated to rivals.

Negotiations were said to be at an early stage, with M&S likely to write off millions on any deal after signing expensive leases for many of the convenience-type stores.

Food has become a key battleground for M&S chief executive Stuart Rose after half-year figures earlier this month showed a 2.1% fall in like-for-like sales.

The spokeswoman said: “Simply Food is successful for M&S and we have already said that we will look at changing a very small number of our stores.”