MARKS & SPENCER OPENS NEW FLAGSHIP STORE ON HUAIHAI ROAD, SHANGHAI

Marks & Spencer today (1st June) opened its brand new flagship store at Golden Bell Plaza on Huaihai Road, under M&S’s ongoing strategy to grow its presence in Shanghai.

With 4,500 square metres of selling space over two floors, M&S Golden Bell Plaza is one of the largest international M&S stores and has launched today with a brand new in-store format. The refreshed format aims to make the store more inviting, inspiring and easier to shop for customers with an exciting new feel to the Foodhall and fashion displays.

The store offers customers in Shanghai the most extensive range of stylish M&S fashions including over 280 exclusive products, as well as M&S’ exceptional quality food and wines and an in store bakery.

Speaking at the opening of the store, Jan Heere, Director of International at Marks & Spencer, said: “I am so pleased to be visiting Shanghai, the fastest growing city in the world. We’re delighted to have opened our new flagship store today at the heart of Huaihai Road, one of Shanghai’s most popular shopping destinations. Our new-look store really showcases the best of M&S and our exclusive products offer something truly unique and special to our customers shopping at the store.”

Stylish fashions and exclusive products

Customers will be able to get their hands on the most extensive range of M&S products in Shanghai across womenswear, lingerie, menswear and kidswear.

This includes over 280 fashion exclusives, from the largest Limited Collection range outside of the UK to stylish per una Speziale outfits that are perfect for special occasions. The store’s exclusives also include the brand new Savile Row Inspired collection, designed exclusively for M&S by Savile Row tailor Richard James, the collection offers a contemporary take on classic men’s tailoring at great M&S value.

Each of M&S’ popular clothing brands are very clearly segmented at the store, with distinct brand identities that allow customers to see which brand best meets their personal style preferences. This is highlighted for customers through unique branding, visual merchandising kit and propping. For example, Limited Collection has an edgy, fashion-focused feel with an illuminated catwalk.

Unrivalled quality food and wines

The store’s new-look Foodhall showcases the quality of M&S food, better highlighting M&S’ position as a speciality food retailer. Over 900 products are available offering a wide range of traditional British favourites, speciality international food and a comprehensive range of 230 wines from around the world.

The store also boasts a 65-seat M&S Café offering over 80 food and drink products including Fairtrade teas and coffees, salads, sandwiches, hot meals and traditional British Afternoon Tea.

Further stores in Shanghai

The new store is in line with Marks & Spencer’s strategy to become a leading international retailer, by focussing on the growth opportunities in Shanghai, as one of its strategic international markets. As part of its strategy, M&S will build a leadership position in the city by opening a cluster of supporting stores around its flagship store locations at Golden Bell Plaza and West Nanjing Road which opened in 2008.

M&S recently opened a new 1,500 square metre store at Wujiaochang Wanda Plaza in Juneand will open a new 1,300 square metre store at Baoshan Wanda Plaza at the end of June.

Jan Heere continued: “As the world’s fastest growing economy and with a population of over 20million, Shanghai offers us an exciting opportunity to focus our business in China. With our six Shanghai stores including our new flagship at Golden Bell Plaza, we have a good platform in place to continue to accelerate our growth here throughout the next few years.”

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Notes to Editors

Store trading hours

Monday to Sunday – 10am to 10pm

Store address

1-2F Golden Bell Plaza

No.98 Middle Huaihai Road

Shanghai

About Marks & Spencer

  • Marks & Spencer is one of the UK’s leading retailers. M&S sells high quality, great value clothing and home products as well as outstanding quality food. Around 21 million customers visit its stores each week and has 78,000 employees across the UK and 43 territories globally.
  • Marks & Spencer was founded over 128 years ago and currently has over 730 UK stores and over 380 international stores across Europe, the Middle East and Asia.
  • Marks & Spencer currently has six stores in Shanghai including stores in West Nanjing Road, Yu Gardens, Skymall, Jiangqiao Plaza, Wujiaochang Plaza and Golden Bell Plaza, as well as three stores in Ningbo, Changzhou and Wuhan.

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