International News - Brooks plans European test run in Milan

Brooks Brothers, formerly owned by Marks & Spencer, is to open its first store in Europe next month.

The formal men's and womenswear retailer, which has 160 shops in the US, will open in Milan's Corso Matteotti near Escada and Hugo Boss on September 7.

European sales manager Raffaella Cremonini said the store would operate on a test basis, and that a European expansion strategy has not yet been determined.

Brooks Brothers chief executive and president of Brooks Brothers' owner Retail Brand Alliance, Claudio Del Vecchio, ended a wholesale agreement in Italy in April, ahead of the launch of the retail business.

That agreement was initiated in 2001 with the Della Valle Group, and the brand appeared in shops in spring of that year.

This autumn marks the 185th anniversary of Brooks Brothers, which was sold by Marks & Spencer to Retail Brand Alliance for US$225 million (£138.6 million) in November 2001.

M&S had been struggling at the time to maintain its position on the UK high street, and had decided to shed its international operations.

M&S also closed European stores and remains locked in talks to sell US chain Kings Super Markets.