British retail company Marks & Spencer (M&S) is expanding its refill scheme following the success of an initial trial in a Southampton store.

The trial scheme allowed customers to fill their own containers with 44 packaging-free products including coffee, cereals, pasta, and confectionery. According to the company, 25 of these products sold better than their pre-packed counterparts.

The fill-your-own-container scheme will be implemented in a Manchester city-centre M&S store later this month. More stores are predicted to follow.

According to a press release, M&S is just one UK chain exemplify a shift towards sustainability. Other British retailers, including Asda and Tesco, have also recently announced plans to cut down on plastic waste.

Retail e-commerce company Ubermarket CEO and founder Will Broome said: “It’s extremely encouraging to see retailers such as M&S taking major steps towards creating a more sustainable future for the food retail sector, and retail across the board.

“Sustainability is no longer just a buzzword; it is quickly becoming a necessity for retailers wanting to prosper and develop into a more environmentally conscious society, as widespread consumer demand and threat of impending legislation suggest that there is no turning back.

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“It is my hope that we see more sustainability initiatives such as M&S’ fill-your-own container scheme in the coming weeks and months, but I am even more excited to see how retailers begin to implement the incredible solutions offered by technology.”