Food has played a leading role in that recovery and has been a major draw for M&S customers for many years, a point the chain picked up on when it launched its Simply Food concept. There are currently 205 of these convenience food outlets and the number is expected to double to 400.

 

Sixty one are run as franchises at motorway service areas, airports, railway stations and petrol forecourts. BP has been trialling them at 11 sites and there are now plans to open a further 60 in the next financial year with up to 200 in total.

 

Food is worth some £4 billion to M&S and the company is reported to see the potential for growing that by up to 25%. It has identified the £28 billion eating out market as one from which it can cut a slice and has set up five formats to help it achieve its goals.

 

Its move into café society has seen the opening of 217 in-store Café Revive outlets so far, with 40 more planned this year. It is now the third largest coffee shop chain in the country and for the financial year 2007-8 plans to introduce a stronger food offer, with more choice for children, more bakery and hot food.

 

The success of the 15 Hot Food To Go counters it has had on trial will see them in a further 21 outlets this year, with an eventual further roll-out down the chain. The more sophisticated market has been served so far with four Deli Bars offering freshly-prepared dishes and wine, with four more due this year; and the chain's first in-store M&S Restaurant, a 130-cover outlet in the Newcastle store providing table service and classic M&S dishes to order.

 

This concept also has a further four planned this year. M&S Kitchen completes the set, at the moment a pilot in the Canterbury store only, claiming to target customers who want to enjoy lunch, brunch or supper in a more sophisticated setting, with hot and cold food, beverages and alcohol to eat in or take away.