Marks & Spencer blames Brexit for mass store closures

After closing eleven supermarkets, nine stores will remain in the M&S portfolio and will continue to operate in tourist centers in France.

British retailer Marks & Spencer said it expects mass store closures in France due to the effects of Brexit. By the end of 2021, 11 franchise stores operated by local partner SFH will be closed.

M&S said the resulting supply problems had made store operations “virtually impossible,” given the difficulty of maintaining delivery standards for fresh and refrigerated food. 

“M&S has a long history of serving customers in France, and this decision was not an easy one for us and our partner SFH,” commented Paul Friston, M&S managing director of International Operations.

With the closure of eleven supermarkets, nine stores remain in the M&S portfolio and will continue to operate in tourist centers in France. However, the company admits that problems with selling fresh and refrigerated goods will persist with the current state of affairs and difficulties in supply.

The supply problems will not affect the retail chain Marks & Spencer, which specializes in selling clothing and household goods. 

The British retailer has been on the French market since 1975. The company left the market in 2001 to focus on operations in the United Kingdom, but in 2011 it began operating in France again.