MARKS and Spencer is to open two new stores in Scotland this year as part of its reshaping.
The retailer is to open a Foodhall in Cumbernauld and a Simply Food in Comely Bank in Edinburgh under the restructure.
The news comes after the firm said it is to close 25 food stores across the UK, on top of 85 full-line stores confirmed this week for the coming financial year as well as 35 branches already closed, also previously announced.
Dates are not yet set for the opening of the two new stores in Scotland, which follow a new Foodhall in Glenrothes in January. Details of closures have not been disclosed.
READ MORE: Marks and Spencer to close 25 food stores under estate rethink
A Foodhall was opened in Fort William in 2017 and another opened in Oban last year with a new format.
The Oban Foodhall also has a fitting room for customers who buy clothing via Click & Collect, and elsewhere a new app which allows customers to pay for their shopping as they go using their mobile, without having to queue at a checkout is being trialled.
David Bates, M&S head of region for Scotland West, said: "We’re reshaping our store estate across Scotland to meet the needs of our customers.
"Reshaping sometimes means difficult decisions, but we need a clicks and bricks offer that serves our customers in a way they want to be served now and in the future."
INFOGRAPHIC: Marks and Spencer in Scotland
He added: "Reshaping also means investing in existing and new stores.
"Our Oban opening last year was a great example of where we adapted to our customers’ needs with an offer tailored to the population, it also created 48 jobs for the area.
"We serve two million customers a week in Scotland and remain committed to offering them the best possible experience and investing."
The firm said by the end of the five-year plan it anticipates its owned store base is "likely to remain broadly level".
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