Marks & Spencer is set to scale back international operations and close its flagship store in Paris to focus on its core UK business.

A person close to the company has revealed that the decision will be formally announced by chief executive Steve Rowe on November 8 when the retailer posts its interim results, according to Bloomberg. 

The 15,000 sq ft Paris flagship store was opened in 2010 by former M&S boss Marc Bolland.

It has been widely expected that Rowe would reverse some of Bolland’s decisions in order to focus on Marks & Spencer’s core UK business.

The retailer, which has 480 stores across Europe, Asia and the Middle East, reported a 37% plunge in international profits last year due to weak performance in Europe and a fall in the value of the pound since the Brexit vote.

The Paris closure would come at a time when M&S has been taking cost-saving measures, including cutting 525 jobs at its head office.

M&S declined to comment.

 

 

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