Marks & Spencer (M&S) will continue using machine learning (ML) technology to reduce waste across the business.

The retailer has extended its partnership with WasteInsight, which develops an ML-powered model that provides markdown prices to encourage sell-through and reduce waste, for a further three years.

The technology, which M&S has been implementing since 2021, also aims to address expiration management, offer more efficient donations to charities, and drive improved forecasting accuracy.

Chris Thomas, head of product for store operations at M&S said that the tool has been “incredibly impactful” over the past few years.

“The WasteInsight solution has delivered significant waste reduction benefits over the past three years, as well as improving overall operational efficiency,” he added.

M&S first launched its 'Plan A' strategy in 2007, which underpins the retailer’s ESG vision.

The company plans to become net zero across all operations by 2040.

Alongside responsible sourcing, reducing carbon emissions and recycling, food waste reduction is among the ten immediate priority areas M&S identified for transformation on its journey to net zero.

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