M&S launches online in four overseas markets

M&S is to launch four European websites as part of its multichannel and international expansion plans.

MS will launch websites in Spain, Germany, Austria and Belgium.
M&S will launch websites in Spain, Germany, Austria and Belgium.

The sites in Spain, Germany, Austria and Belgium will go live on 19 November and will provide a localised  offer including local language, payment and delivery options.

More than 15,000 M&S products including womenswear, lingerie, menswear, kidswear, and a selection of homeware will be available.

The four countries are the most popular delivery destinations for the existing international delivery option offered by M&S’s UK operations. It delivers to 80 countries.

M&S plans to be operating in 10 international markets by the end of May 2013.

Earlier this year M&S re-entered the French market with a flagship store on Champs Elysée and a local language and currency website. It has also launched in Ireland.

The British retailer says the moves will “grow its business and take its customer engagement in these markets to another level”.

Marc Bolland, chief executive of M&S, says: “This is us moving forward with our plan to transform M&S from traditional British retailer to a leading international, multi-channel retailer. M&S is a brand that’s synonymous with British quality, style and value and this move enables us to extend the reach of our brand to more new markets.”

The project has been led by Laura Wade-Gery, executive director of e-commerce and multi-channel at M&S.  

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