Marks & Spencer is making a significant push to attract family shoppers with the opening of its largest ever UK Food Hall this week. The new store, situated in Godalming, Surrey, will span an impressive 22,000 square feet, taking over a former Homebase site and promising an enhanced shopping experience for local residents.
Designed specifically with modern families in mind, the expansive Food Hall introduces several new features. Shoppers can expect wider fresh produce areas, a dedicated multi-temperature section for herbs, and an increased selection of organic produce and fruit. A new rotisserie chicken counter will also be a prominent addition, alongside an expanded bakery section. To engage younger shoppers, the store will even provide mini shopping trolleys for children.
Beyond food, the Godalming branch will also stock a range of kitchen essentials, including pots, pans, and cooking utensils, aiming to make it a more comprehensive shopping destination. Crucially for budget-conscious consumers, the store will carry M&S's complete 'Remarksable Value' collection, which is undergoing its own expansion this week with 29 new everyday staples. These additions include items such as Fruit & Fibre Cereal Flakes, White Bread Finger Rolls, Pork Shoulder Steaks, and Microwavable Rice.
M&S emphasises that its 'Remarksable Value' products, which have doubled in size since 2023, maintain the retailer's renowned quality, sourcing, ingredients, and welfare standards, distinguishing them from traditional budget ranges. Alex Freudmann, Managing Director of M&S Food, highlighted the company's investment in "bigger, better stores and more trusted value on the products families buy every week," describing the Godalming store as an example of the modern, full-range Food Halls M&S is developing.
This strategic opening follows reports in January that M&S was the fastest-growing retailer for families in terms of both volume and value. Alongside the 'Remarksable Value' range, the company has also introduced 'Dropped & Locked' offers and 'Bigger Pack, Better Value' ranges, all designed to encourage families to complete more of their weekly shop at M&S. This latest move in Surrey underscores M&S's ambition to evolve its image beyond a 'treat destination' and become a more central part of household grocery routines.