FORGET California and forget dreaming – this is Reading, and this is real. Marks & Spencer has launched a new partnership with Mamas & Papas, with the Ding one of the first locations.
The Broad Street clothing retailer is welcoming the nursery brand, with more than 700 different products in stock. The range includes pushchairs, car seats and nursery furniture.
Dedicated staff members with specialist knowledge will be able to help with one-to-one Buying for Baby appointments and car seat consultations.
It is one of four locations, and sees Mamas & Papas return to the town for the first time in eight years. They previously had a branch in The Oracle, but it closed in 2015.
James Devlin, the Marks & Spencer Reading store manager, said: “We’re delighted to have been chosen as the latest store to welcome a bespoke Mamas & Papas shop-in-shop, complementing our baby and kidswear offer.
“Families are such a big part of our community and we’re proud to be able to offer them a bigger, better shopping experience.
“We know how daunting welcoming a new addition can be, and we can’t wait to see customers faces when they visit and find everything they would expect at a Mamas & Papas store, with the added value of shopping at their local M&S.”
And Nathan Williams, chief executive officer at Mamas & Papas: “We are proud to be continuing to grow our partnership with the Marks & Spencer family as a Brand at M&S. With their focus on supporting customers throughout life’s firsts, the synergy with Mamas & Papas, as we support families through their important milestones along the parenting journey, is a perfect match.
“With our goal to be the most accessible nursery brand on the high street, we’re demonstrating our commitment to investing in bricks & mortar stores by expanding our successful concession business and, in doing so, make the positive step in supporting M&S on their journey into the nursery category.
“We’re excited to have opened our fourth M&S concession in the Reading store and to support local parents-to-be and their families.”
The 1,625 sqft store is open in the Broad Street branch of M&S from 8am-8pm Monday to Friday, 8am-8pm on Saturday and 11am-5pm on Sunday.
