Tom PowellBRITISH department store Marks and Spencer is planning a second attempt at setting up shop in Spain, after a humiliating exit in 2001.
The retail giants are expanding into mainland Europe again following a successful venture in Paris and are already committed to sites in Amsterdam and Brussels.
They are currently searching for the best sites in Madrid and Barcelona, confident that this time around they will not amass substantial debts and have to abandon ship.
It is part of a move to open up 250 shops worldwide, selling a combination of its best clothing and food ranges.
Last year, the firm’s international arm made profits of £120m on sales of £1.1bn.
“We are focusing on flagship stores to deliver brand presence and to stand out,” said M&S’s chief executive, Marc Bolland.
“We also see great opportunities in fresh food and lingerie and beauty concepts.”
M&S opened an online store in Spain in 2012.
i used to visit the M&S store in santa cruz Tenerife
There was never anyone there even at sale time when i bought a few items
The staff were in the same uniforms as the UK staff but when you walked in it was like an English outpost
I visited M&S in Barcelona shortly after it opened..Whoever did their market research really screwed up….The store was so fragmented and with a totally inappropriate product range as to make a buying trip a waste of time….Maybe (?) they will have leaned a thing or two this time.
Marks and Sparks. Food, yes. Clothes? A boring no.