Marks and Spencer is set to trial clothing-only stores in a bid to target younger shoppers

Marks & Spencer is launching a clothing-only store to target younger shoppers.

The new standalone shop, set to open this autumn at London’s Battersea Power Station, will feature a curated selection of women’s and menswear, alongside beauty products.

The store, located in the recently revitalised shopping destination, represents a shift in M&S’s strategy as it capitalises on a resurgence in fashion sales.

If successful, the retailer plans to open more clothing-only locations across the country.

M&S chief executive Stuart Machin described the store as a place to ‘showcase the best of M&S clothing and beauty at outstanding value.’

Marks & Spencer is opening a boutique-style store which will only sell select items of clothing and beauty products

M&S chief executive Stuart Machin (pictured) described the store as a place to 'showcase the best of M&S clothing and beauty at outstanding value'

M&S chief executive Stuart Machin (pictured) described the store as a place to ‘showcase the best of M&S clothing and beauty at outstanding value’

The new standalone shop is set to open this autumn at London's Battersea Power Station (pictured)

The new standalone shop is set to open this autumn at London’s Battersea Power Station (pictured)

The boutique-style shop will be smaller than typical M&S stores and will offer personalised styling advice.

Retail analyst Richard Hyman supported the move, telling The Times that most customers no longer shop for food and clothing in the same visit, making the concept of a clothing-only store logical.

Under the leadership of chairman Archie Norman and Machin, M&S has reversed the decline in its clothing business, which saw a 5.3 per cent rise in sales to £3.9 billion in the last year.

Shares in M&S have surged 56 per cent over the past year.

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