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During the average week Marks & Spencer attract millions of shoppers to over 400 stores around the world. It's a truly unique business, a business with, the company claims, fundamental strengths borne of hard work and dedication, and supported by one of the most loyal teams of people of any retailer.
Marks & Spencer have growing businesses in food, home furnishing, gifts, beauty and financial services. They are the UK's largest clothing retailer and have more than 300 stores in the UK alone. The company claims it has the scale and authority to develop clothing innovations that other retailers just cannot match. All in all, they see themselves as equipped to lead, and they aim to do so.
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Marks & Spencer's international business is supported by franchise partners in 30 countries worldwide.
Above all, Marks & Spencer want their customers to trust and respect them for their quality, value and service in each and every one of the businesses stores. And they aim to continually exceed expectations wherever Marks & Spencer customers choose to shop with them.
Marks & Spencer stores can be found in 30 countries around the world.
Abu-Dhabi, Bahrain, Bermuda, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Dubai, Finland, Gibraltar, Gran Canaria, Greece, Guernsey, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Jersey, Kuwait, Malaysia, Malta, Philippines, Poland, Qatar, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Tenerife, Thailand, and Turkey
Marks & Spencer aim to be a trusted partner to all their franchisees. And they are currently working closely with more than 20 companies around the world, to help them exploit the potential of the Marks & Spencer brand in their local territories.
The franchise partner (franchisee) has access to Marks & Spencer's experienced franchise operations team who have practical experience of many international markets.
The Franchise Operations Team provides five key support services:
Relationships : A direct link to a dedicated Country Manager at Marks & Spencer's London Head Office, who provides commercial and operational guidance and keeps the franchise partner up to date with all the latest retailing developments.
Brand Management :Clear guidance is provided on how to use the Marks & Spencer brand to ensure maximum impact. Marks & Spencer also work closely with the franchise partner to help them gain maximum value from one of the world’s greatest brands.
Merchandise :Information and practical advice on which merchandise to stock, to ensure the franchise partner stores always have the right products in the right place at the right time.
Systems :The franchise partner also benefits from some of the world’s most advanced systems for managing every aspect of a fast moving retail business, as well as access to Marks & Spencer's leading IT support team.
Operations :Access is provided to Marks & Spencer's experienced human resources and finance teams who’ll provide focus and direction to help the franchisee manage their business effectively.
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Marks & Spencer opened its first store in Greece in 1992. Working in partnership with the Marinopoulos Group, a conglomerate with business interests ranging from supermarkets and pharmaceuticals to multimedia and communications, the Greek franchise has now grown to 15 stores across mainland Greece and its principal islands of Crete, Corfu and Rhodes. Marks & Spencer merchandise is also on sale in 14 of the beauty shops owned and managed by Marinopoulos.
Greg Davis, the Country Manager for Greece, takes up the story : "Marks & Spencer’s involvement with Marinopoulos goes back many years when we exported clothing to sell in the Prisunic Marinopoulos Supermarkets. In the early 90s we formalised our presence by establishing a stand-alone business in Greece, and we are now the second largest clothing retailer in the country. Working with Marinopoulos, we have succeeded in bringing the best and latest UK fashions to the Greek people."
Per Una - Per Una, the latest fashion collection to be launched by Marks & Spencer has just arrived in Greece. Designed by British fashion guru George Davies, the new collection is proving very popular with Greek customers and is currently available at both the flagship Athens city centre store in Ermou Street and at the newly renovated Glyfada store. Marks & Spencer plan to extend the range to even more stores in the spring.
The euro - Greece was one of the countries which adopted the euro as its primary currency. In common with all other Greek businesses, Marks & Spencer accepted both euros and Drachmas during the transition period until March 2002. Euros feature on all Marks & Spencer price ticketing, and of course Marks & Spencer has guaranteed that no prices will increase as a result of the conversion to euros.
New store - In spring 2002 Marks & Spencer opens a store in Psychiko, Northern Athens. This new store offers a wide range of ladieswear, lingerie and menswear and will incorporate the latest ideas in fit-out and look.
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