SandpiperCI in deal to open M&S stores on UK mainland

Tuesday 25 October 2022

The Channel Islands' largest retailer will be expanding its presence into the UK, having reached a deal to open M&S franchise stores in Southwest England.

SandpiperCI, which was formed in 2007 when it bought what was then CI Traders, operates a variety of franchise brands across Jersey and Guernsey, with additional outlets in the Isle of Man and Gibraltar.

Amongst others, the brands include: Morrisons, Iceland, Matalan, Costa Coffee, Burger King, Hotel Chocolat, Cardfactory and Sandpiper’s Apple Authorised Premium Reseller, iQ.

Property teams are already working on identifying prime retail sites in towns and cities across Southwest England as part of the M&S expansion programme, with the first of the new M&S food stores expected to be open and trading by spring 2023.

Caroline Slowey-Dickinson, who is currently Sandpiper's Brand Director of the Isle of Man and Channel Islands, has also been appointed as Operations Director to oversee the UK operation.

“We have worked closely with M&S over the last 15 years to build a strong and highly successful M&S franchise business in Jersey," said SandpiperCI’s Executive Chairman, Tony O’Neill.

"Our M&S store teams consistently deliver service and standards of the highest order, and we are naturally delighted to have the opportunity to widen our partnership with Marks and Spencer Group plc by developing stores in the UK mainland.”