M&S plans Russian chain
Middle England headed for the Russian provinces
Marks & Spencer is considering taking its quintessentially English style across Russia with a chain of provincial stores.
M&S is in talks to lease space in five shopping centres developed by Swedish furniture giant, Ikea.
If the move proves successful, M&S could expand further to become one of the biggest retailers in Russia, according to Russian business daily Kommersant.
M&S will open its first store in Moscow this autumn. During 2006 it will take its offer into the Russian regions. That marks an ambitious move – while UK fashions are in demand among the more sophisticated consumers of Moscow and St Petersburg, much of Russia remains uncharted waters for Western retailers.
