MARKS & Spencer has said it will close 11 of its stores in France due to fresh and chilled food supply issues following Brexit.
The group blamed Brexit disruption to exports from the UK to Europe for its decision to shut all franchised shops with partner SFH in France.
It said: “The lengthy and complex export processes now in place following the UK’s exit from the European Union are significantly constraining the supply of fresh and chilled product from the UK into Europe and continuing to impact product availability for customers and the performance of our business in France.”
The stores, which are located mainly on the high streets of Paris, are set to close by the end of the year.
READ MORE: SNP conference: Resolution highlighting Brexit impact passed
M&S said it remains in discussions with partner Lagardere Travel Retail over its remaining nine French stores based at airports and railway stations, which it said continue to trade as normal.
Its website in France, which mainly sells clothing and home products, remains unaffected, the group added.
Paul Friston, managing director of M&S International, said: “M&S has a long history of serving customers in France and this is not a decision we or our partner SFH have taken lightly.
READ MORE: UK on course to drop from Germany's top 10 trading partners in 70-year first
“However, as things stand today, the supply chain complexities in place following the UK’s exit from the European Union, now make it near impossible for us to serve fresh and chilled products to customers to the high standards they expect, resulting in an ongoing impact to the performance of our business.”
The move comes after it emerged at the weekend that M&S was eyeing store closures in France as part of a review of its operations there in light of post-Brexit trade rules and product availability.
The group warned last week over further disruption expected when a grace period on trade and goods coming in to the UK from the continent begins to expire.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel