Marks & Spencer non-executive director Martha Lane Fox has highlighted the benefits of online social networking to retailers.

Speaking at Retail Week’s 100 Club last week, she said that big brands need to make their web sites more of an entertainment and networking experience.

Her comments have sparked speculation that Marks & Spencer could launch its own social networking site. However, an M&S spokeswoman said it had no immediate plans to do so.

Lane Fox said: “Fundamental to the experience of the internet is how you build your brand within it and the internet is phenomenal at building networks. Social networking gives control back to the individual. It’s interesting to think how much power the individual has in the retail landscape.”

She added: “Quite a lot of people with whom I would never have established a connection have been found on this third space on the internet.”