Marks & Spencer is announcing today that the Company plans to extend its franchise franchise contract with Moto, part of Compass Group, by opening an additional six Simply Food stores at motorway service areas over the next 18 months. This will bring the number of Simply Food motorway stores to nine.
The first Simply Food Moto store opened at Toddington (M1) in 2003, followed by Cherwell Valley (M40) and Reading (M4) this year. Knutsford (M6) is due to open next week and other suitable sites are currently being identified.
These new Moto stores are in addition to the 500,000 sq.ft. of additional Simply Food and food-only space that is being rolled out by 2005/06. There are currently 119 standalone food stores.
Stuart Rose, Marks & Spencer, Chief Executive, said; "As part of our Simply Food rollout, we are delighted to be extending our contract with Moto so we can give our customers more choice in more locations."
