Compass Group UK & Ireland has opened its first Marks & Spencer (M&S) Simply Food Store at the Royal Derby Hospital, under a new franchise agreement with M&S that will see Compass embed M&S Simply Food into its core retail offer.
The introduction of the M&S Simply Food brand will be focused within Compass’ specialist Healthcare division Medirest, with the new store at the Royal Derby Hospital being the first to open. More openings are set to follow in hospital locations, supporting the growth of Compass’ retail proposition.
Medirest has operated the retail contract at the Royal Derby Hospital for five years. The addition of M&S Simply Food will further strengthen the retail offer at the Hospital which currently features a fully licensed Costa Coffee, an amigo convenience store and a Deli Marche.
Commenting on this new agreement with Marks & Spencer, Ian Sarson, Group Managing Director of Compass Group UK & Ireland said: “M&S is an ideal strategic partner for Compass. We are delighted to partner with M&S and look forward to offering our customers the confidence of a high street quality brand that they know and love.”
Paul Horwell, Head of UK Franchise at Marks & Spencer, said: “We’re delighted to be working with Compass Group at Royal Derby Hospital. Compass joins our roster of trusted franchise partners and the combination of Compass’ retail expertise in specialist locations with the M&S’ innovative, quality food offer is an exciting prospect. Derby is a great opportunity for both parties and I’m looking forward to seeing how much further we can take the partnership.”
About Compass Group UK & Ireland
Compass Group UK & Ireland is part of Compass Group PLC, a world-leading food and support services company. Compass Group generated annual revenues of £16.9 billion in the year to 30 September 2012 with over £1.9bn of revenue in the UK & Ireland. It operates in around 50 countries, employs 509,000 people and serves over 4 billion meals every year. The company specialises in providing food and a range of support services across the core sectors of Business & Industry, Healthcare & Seniors, Education, Defence, Offshore & Remote, Sports & Leisure and Vending with an established brand portfolio.
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About M&S Simply Food franchise stores
Marks & Spencer has 243 franchised Simply Food stores in specialist retail locations such as rail stations, airports, hospitals, BP forecourts and motorway service areas. The stores are owned and run by trusted franchise partners with M&S providing the products, guides for store fit out and marketing materials. The stores bring M&S’ high quality, innovative food offer to convenient locations and are very popular with customers.