Intelligent door sensors, LED fridge lighting and a new heat reclaim system are all set to help Marks & Spencer Newcastle’s energy efficiency by 20% – as well as enhancing the customer experience.

Marks & Spencer (M&S) has unveiled its new-look eco-friendly store in Newcastle, which provides a number of green features.

The Northumberland Street store has a 167 sq m green wall attached to its front, which is irrigated by rainwater and has been made using nearly 16,000 individual plants. Other eco-conscious features include intelligent door sensors, LED fridge lighting and a new heat reclaim system that are all expected to contribute to a 20% improvement in energy efficiency at the store.

M&S unveiled its new eco store in Newcastle, earlier this week

The official launch of the new look store was marked with an event that also celebrated the start of British Summer Time, and included a ‘selfie spot’ for visitors to take their photograph by the #greenwallselfie.

Mike Barry, Director of Plan A, M&S’s eco and ethical programme, said: “M&S Newcastle is one of our most important stores so the finished green wall and store’s eco energy refit is hugely exciting for everyone at M&S.Newcastle M&S store manager, Nikki McKidd, and M&S director of Plan A, Mike Barry

“We hope the completion of this project will boost Northumberland Street, and provide our customers with an improved shopping experience. The green wall is a real standout, and with summer just around the corner we hope it will continue to flourish.”

Commenting on launch day, Nikki McKidd, store manager at M&S Newcastle, remarked: “Our customers have been very patient whilst works to make the store more eco-friendly have been underway and today goes to show that shoppers are in great support of it.”

The green wall is a major new feature of M&S Newcastle

The opening of the new store comes in the week M&S is set to announce its fourth-quarter results statement. On Thursday, the retailer will update the market on its most recent trading performance, which comes after a Christmas period that was disrupted by online order distribution problems and saw worse than expected sales figures.