Marks & Spencer in Paris

Marks & Spencer, the return of the prodigal son!

By No author
20/12/2011

For its re-opening in France, Marks & Spencer has settled on the “most beautiful avenue in the world” (otherwise known, to those who are not French, as the Champs-Elysées). Ten years after leaving Continental Europe, the British brand has returned, to the apparent delight of Parisians.

The group closed its previous chain of stores in France in 2001, to the despair of many Parisians. The closing down of Marks & Spencer on Boulevard Haussmann created an outcry at the time, leaving 1700 people redundant…as well as thousand of families without their favourite British brand. 

Marc Bolland

But M&S has decided to make a come-back, convinced, this time, of the long-term market potential.  On 24th November, the CEO of the company, Mark Bolland, inaugurated the new store situated at Number 100 on the aforesaid Avenue.

“The range of products offered in Paris is the same as that in the UK” confirmed Mark Bolland. Unfortunately, however, the 1400 square meters over 3 floors is currently not enough to host them all. Only 10% of the British lines will be offered in the Parisian shop which will offer clothes, lingerie and food.

Fortunately, the famous British brand has thought of everything!  An online shop for clothes and home decoration opened subsequently on 11th October 2011. This new website is part of the M&S « Bricks and Clicks » strategy.

Parisians consumers can breathe a sigh of relief; other M&S stores are scheduled to open in 2012 and 2013. In the autumn of 2012, for example, a 6 900 square meter M&S store will be launched in Levallois-Perret.  Marks & Spencer have also signed leases for two other stores, one in Beaugrenelle in the 15th arrondissement and another in Aéroville in the north-east of Paris.

At last, dear Parisians, you will be able to treat yourselves to scones, Christmas puddings and those so VERY British biscuits.