An offer for 6 Parisian stores?
According to specialized French website LSA, Marks&Spencer is finalizing
a bid in order to purchase 6 of the 50
stores Casino hopes to get rid of. The Brits would mainly go for six
Parisian stores.
The British will not deny or confirm the news: “We are looking for further opportunities to expand
our offer in France but we are unable to comment on speculation regarding
future plans,” a spokesperson has stated.
Definitely another 10 M&S Food stores by 2018
M&S’s possible interest in the Casino stores is not that far-fetched: there are already four Parisian M&S Food stores
and only one month ago, the chain announced a deal with Relay to open another ten
food stores in and around Paris by 2018. The first store of the partnership
should open its doors next summer, in a former Virgin Store at La Défense.
More than ever, the food sector is a growth opportunity for
Marks&Spencer. In the period up until September, its food turnover grew 5.3 %, while non-food turnover only grew 0.4
%.
(Translated by Gary Peeters)
