Marks & Spencer could be in line for £800 million sterling from the sale and leaseback of its properties, according to reports.
The company will sell and leaseback half of its 80 stores, in a transaction it expects to raise over £300 million.
A further £300 million-£400 million of properties will be securitised.
The proceeds will form part of the £2.7 billion the company plans to return to shareholders, the Timesreports.
M&S plans to sell the properties as a single package and has a shortlist of 20-30 buyers, including property companies and venture capitalists.
The sites being sold include those in Bolton, northern England, and Sutton, south west of London.
M&S said that although it will occupy most of the sites it sells for 25 years, the company wants the flexibility to be able to vacate a minority of sites over each five-year period.
Earlier this month, the company confirmed Paris-based store chain Galerie Lafayette had expressed interest in acquiring M&S stores in the French capital.
PA