Overview
Client: M&S
Duration: 6 weeks (inc. 3 week store closure)
Value: £1.2m
As a highly trusted national Main Contractor to M&S, and with a proven track record of delivering major fit-outs and refurbishment projects and a detailed understanding of the demanding retail environment, Sigma’s expertise as end-to-end specialists was required to handle the complete fit-out of the M&S Moortown store within six weeks.
The Brief
To improve the shopping experience for its customers, M&S tasked Sigma with the complete top-to-bottom transformation of its Leeds, Moortown store. With the aim of making the shopping experience convenient and inspirational, M&S requested the addition of various new in-store features.
The Sigma team was required to manage all aspects of the transformation, from stripping the space from floor to ceiling, to the complete redesign and fit-out, and was given six weeks to complete the turnkey project. M&S assigned an additional week for restocking the store, meaning that the project had to be completed on time.
With the store remaining operational during the day for the first three weeks, the Sigma team was only able to work at night. Consequently, the bulk of the work had to be completed within the final three weeks, which is where M&S trusted the Sigma’s team’s experience and ability to work quickly, efficiently, and to the highest standard.
The Challenge
This project required a complete strip-out, a full retail space redesign with the addition of new in-store features, and an overhaul of the HVAC system, amongst others – all for completion before the store’s reopening deadline.
In order to increase retail space and improve the internal layout, and before the installation of new features could commence, a complete strip-out was needed. This included the removal of the old bakery and deli, as well as the floor, leaving Sigma with a blank canvas.
The team had to work to an ambitious schedule to complete the project on time. To ensure this could happen, a collaborative approach was adopted involving M&S and the Sigma teams working on the project. The approach made sure all stakeholders were kept up to date about the planning and delivery of the project, enabling schedules to be coordinated.
Training
The temporary closure of the Moortown store enabled M&S to focus on staff training. Every store employee received a personalised training plan to work through and attended an interactive two-day offsite training session which concentrated on collaboration and colleague engagement.
Sustainability
Sigma and M&S have shared values concerning sustainability and are committed to making a difference. In line with both companies’ sustainability policies, the team wanted to reduce the project’s environmental impact by using renewable and recyclable resources wherever possible, as well as through effective waste management and recycling. For this project, Sigma met these objectives, carrying out effective waste management and recycling during the project, achieving its zero waste to landfill goal.
“We are delighted by the transformed M&S Leeds Moortown store. The collaboration shown between our property functions, consultants and construction, led by our main contractor Sigma, has delivered a store for our colleagues and customers to be proud of.”
Ryan Gribben, Construction Project Manager at M&S
Outcome
Following a complete transformation, the M&S Moortown store is now able to better meet the needs of customers.
The Sigma team’s unrivalled expertise in delivering to the most demanding of schedules without compromising on quality meant that the transformation of the store was achieved on time, within budget, and to the highest of standards.
Everyone at Sigma is extremely proud of the success achieved in transforming the store and of the benefits it will bring to M&S and its customers.