Marks & Spencer is to launch its Simply Food concept into other Western European countries after it enjoyed strong food sales in its Paris flagship store.
M&S chief executive Marc Bolland said the retailer is looking to take the format to “one or two” other countries and is on the hunt for franchise partners.
M&S expects to make a profit on the French stores within two years.
He said: “What we are saying is we are looking at taking the Simply Food concept to Paris and teaming up with a partner to launch it in one or two other countries.
“But because the food is being delivered fresh every day from the UK the locations would all need to be close enough for same-day deliveries by our trucks.”
Bolland said traditional British products such as teas and jams had sold well in France, as well as salads and ready meals.
M&S’s performance in France, a market it re-entered in November 2011, was in contrast to much of the retailer’s international business.
Bolland told investors at a meeting in Istanbul, Turkey, that the retailer is to “evaluate” its Chinese business, which is understood to be missing internal targets. M&S’s Greek and Irish businesses have also been under pressure due to the weak economies in those countries.
But Bolland has stepped up the rate of expansion in India. M&S has 30 stores in the Asian nation and hopes to have 80 by 2015/16.
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