Marks & Spencer and Richer Sounds to pilot concession tie-up

Hi-fi, home cinema and TV specialist Richer Sounds will open a concession in M&S’s York Vangarde retail park branch, where M&S frequently tests new ideas.

M&S traditionally only sold its own brands. However, it has recently experimented with a variety of partners as it has sought to revamp trading space in response to changing shopper habits and to enhance its appeal.

The retailer has introduced six opticians’ practices, now run by new partner Owl Opticians after the original scheme in partnership with Galaxy Optical was ended, and food hall sushi counters with Wasabi.

The link-up with Richer Sounds deepens the relationship between M&S and Richer Sounds’ founder Julian Richer.

The entrepreneur, a long-time associate of M&S chair Archie Norman, was drafted in to advise M&S and chief executive Steve Rowe as part of turnaround efforts.

Richer, famous for his staff-centric and customer service-focused approach to business and who earlier this year handed control of his business to employees through the transfer of shares into a John Lewis-style trust, was recognised with the Outstanding Contribution to Retail prize at this year’s Retail Week Awards.

An M&S spokesperson said: “As part of our transformation plan we remain committed to reshaping our store space, including through testing new concessions.

“In York Vangarde, one of our test and learn stores, we’re in the early stages of exploring the trial of a Richer Sounds concession. This will offer our customers a range of products we don’t currently sell and we will, of course, listen carefully to their feedback.”

The concession plan was first reported on the YorkMix website, which said the Richer Sounds concession would take space of 120 sq m.