Marks and Spencer has signalled that it will launch an online grocery delivery service in order to breathe life into its flagging food business.
A spokeswoman told The Grocer that it was still too early to say exactly what the service would comprise, but indicated that it may initially trial delivery of certain food ranges before extending it to its full offer.
No timeframe has yet been set for launch and logistical issues have not been finalised. M&S already sells clothing, homeware, flowers, wine and hampers online. It also offers home delivery from selected shops for in-store purchases.
“Food is very important for us
and our web site is already a successful selling tool,” the spokeswoman said. “But we don’t want to commit to timing yet as it will depend on how far the offer goes.”
In its annual report, published last week, M&S said it sold £3.5bn of food, up 2.4% on the previous year. However, like-for-like sales tumbled 2.6%. Even so, it claims to have a 3.1% share of the food market, accounting for 45.2% of its UK turnover. In the year to April 2, pre-tax profits from all sales slid from £805m to £618.5m.
A spokeswoman told The Grocer that it was still too early to say exactly what the service would comprise, but indicated that it may initially trial delivery of certain food ranges before extending it to its full offer.
No timeframe has yet been set for launch and logistical issues have not been finalised. M&S already sells clothing, homeware, flowers, wine and hampers online. It also offers home delivery from selected shops for in-store purchases.
“Food is very important for us
and our web site is already a successful selling tool,” the spokeswoman said. “But we don’t want to commit to timing yet as it will depend on how far the offer goes.”
In its annual report, published last week, M&S said it sold £3.5bn of food, up 2.4% on the previous year. However, like-for-like sales tumbled 2.6%. Even so, it claims to have a 3.1% share of the food market, accounting for 45.2% of its UK turnover. In the year to April 2, pre-tax profits from all sales slid from £805m to £618.5m.
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