Marks & Spencer - latest news, breaking stories and comment
Latest London news, business, sport, showbiz and entertainment from the London Evening Standard.
www.standard.co.ukHere are the latest notable updates on Marks & Spencer (M&S) as of May 2026:
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Financial performance and cyber incident: M&S has been reporting a rebound in profits after a cyber attack disrupted online sales and logistics in 2024-25. Recent coverage notes a return toward growth but with profits still impacted by the cyber-related costs and cost-cutting pressures. For context, market and trade press have highlighted the cyber incident as a key driver behind interim profit fluctuations, with management signaling resilience and a path back to growth.[2][6]
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Store portfolio and expansion: The retailer has been actively investing in its store estate, including openings of new locations and plans to optimize the London and regional store footprint. News sources indicate ongoing store investment as a core part of its strategy to boost footfall and phrase a multi-year store expansion/modernization drive.[5][7]
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Online and Ocado relationship: M&S’s online grocery arm, historically run via Ocado Retail, has featured in discussions about performance and strategic alignment. Reports over the past year have framed Ocado Retail as a key channel for online grocery, with investors watching how the partnership evolves in the context of broader turnaround efforts.[3][5]
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UK market and competitive environment: Coverage in industry outlets and general news suggests M&S remains a major player in UK department store and food retail, with attention on profit trends, cost management, and competitive positioning against peers in the grocery and fashion segments. Market summaries and sector analyses continue to track M&S’s progress within the UK retail landscape.[7][9]
If you’d like, I can pull the most current headlines from specific outlets (e.g., ITV News, Sky News, Retail Week) or summarize the financial figures from the latest half-year results. I can also set up a quick alert checklist (profits, cyber-related costs, store openings) and deliver periodic updates. Please tell me your preferred sources or how deep you want the summary.