Return of Marks & Spencer with 'Bricks & Clicks'

02 Apr '11

3 min read

Marks & Spencer announces that it will return to France towards the end of this year with a combined e-commerce and retail 'bricks & clicks' strategy in line with its business plans announced in November.

The move will see Marks & Spencer launch a new retail website, in French and trading in Euros, providing opportunities to serve customers throughout France. The company will also open a new store in the heart of Paris on the Champs-Elysées towards the end of this year offering a selection of both womenswear and food.

Marks & Spencer is also in advanced talks with SSP, an established UK franchise partner, regarding opening a number of Marks & Spencer Simply Food stores at strategic locations in and around Paris and is now looking for suitable sites. The retailer is also looking for a limited number of locations from which to sell a larger clothing and food offer.

Speaking from Paris, Marc Bolland, Marks & Spencer's Chief Executive, said:

“Marks & Spencer has great brand awareness here in France and a place in customers' hearts. We're very excited to be returning with an e-commerce and retail offer to delight customers with our full range of clothing and home products, and the exceptional food from our Paris store.”

Both the new French website and Parisian store are scheduled to launch prior to this year's peak Christmas trading period to capitalise on the strong consumer awareness of the Marks & Spencer brand.

Marks & Spencer's full range of high quality, stylish fashions for all the family and a selection of homeware products will be available to customers across the country via its brand new French website.

It will be the retailer's first international transactional website. The new French language website will offer a full range of womenswear and lingerie; menswear; kidswear and homeware – all priced in Euros and with local delivery prices.

Retail

Marks & Spencer is returning to Paris with an aspirational store located at 100 Avenue des Champs-Elysées. This 1,400 square metre (15,000 sq ft) store will trade over three floors in a unique location and showcase the very best of Marks & Spencer's stylish womenswear and lingerie alongside a convenience offer of high quality, innovative food.

Marks & Spencer will retain all 30 of the store's current employees – including the Store Manager – all of whom will take part in comprehensive training programmes over the coming months.

Marks & Spencer is also looking to open a number of Marks & Spencer Simply Food stores at strategic locations in and around Paris. The retailer is in advanced talks with SSP and together they are now looking for suitable sites.

Marks & Spencer Plc

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