Marks & Spencer (M&S)

Marks and Spencer reopened its renovated Pantheon flagship in July 2026, showcasing a new 100,000 sq ft store design with curated collections, zoned merchandising and enhanced atmospherics. The Pantheon refit is part of a broader £90 million central London spend and sits within a £300 million 2026 investment programme to roll out the new store concept across the estate. The move underlines M&S’s continued strategic bet on upgraded physical retail to deepen customer engagement. » More on forbes.com

Vintage Marks & Spencer carrier bags are rising in demand on resale sites, with searches up and items like St Michael bags selling for significant mark-ups. Collectors and designers cite nostalgia and tangible culture as drivers, while canvas and branded tote giveaways from other labels are also fetching prices on secondhand markets. M&S has tapped the trend through a collaboration with Aries, including a leather tote styled after the St Michael carrier to reintroduce the heritage design to new consumers. » More on theguardian.com

M&S has completed an upmarket overhaul of its Oxford Street Pantheon store as a model for modernising its large-store estate and customer experience. CEO Stuart Machin plans £700m of investment over the next three years to refurbish stores, upgrade supply chain and distribution, and improve product ranges, while expanding food-only outlets and targeting double food sales. The group reports improving fashion perception and market share gains but faces challenges from the Marble Arch rebuild, international underperformance and major warehouse projects. » More on theguardian.com