Retail solutions - M&S picks store planner solution from Marketmax

Marks & Spencer is rolling out a merchandising planning tool across 330 stores. The Space Optimiser from Marketmax allows the retailer to manage the display of food products, based on key sales criteria.

The system, which was developed in close collaboration with M&S, uses a planogramming algorithm to create individual store layouts for each store.

The space management tool is able to cope with the wide range of store sizes in Marks & Spencer's estate, from 3,000 sq ft (280 sq m) at Liverpool St Station, to about 147,000 sq ft (13,650 sq m) at Marble Arch.