Marks & Spencer has opened a flagship store in The Place shopping mall in Beijing as the retailer builds its presence in China.

The 16,500 sq ft store in The Place shopping mall carries 1,200 food products and wines, alongside lingerie and women’s, men’s, and children’s clothing.

Marks & Spencer international director Costas Antimissaris said: “Beijing is an exciting market for Marks & Spencer where we’ve already seen a strong demand for our quality products online.

“We’re delighted to have secured such a prime location for our first store in the capital where we are bringing our flagship shopping experience to customers in Beijing.”

International models Ming Xi and David Gandy were at the store as part of the launch publicity.

M&S marketing, strategy and international executive director Patrick Bousquet-Chavanne tweeted after the opening: “Outstanding first day as the flagship captures local consumers desire for British food and fashion.”

The Beijing opening represented the latest step in M&S’s Chinese expansion following a review of its operations there.

Five smaller stores in Shanghai were closed earlier this year. M&S is focusing on flagship branches in key cities such as Beijing and Guangzhou and online sales through sites such as Tmall.com and JD.com.

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