Lanzarote residents may soon be able to pop down to Marks and Sparks to buy up on underwear and frozen meals.  According to current press reports surrounding the recent opening of a new Marks and Spencer store in Marbella.

 The British store group plan a renewed assault on the Spanish market, having failed to gain a foothold during a previous sortie in 2001, when it was forced to close stores in Madrid and Valencia.

 Currently Marks have just two stores in Spain – in Gibraltar and now in Marbella. Along with a handful of franchise operations in the Canaries. And have just opened a new 1300 sq metre outlet in La Cañada – also under a franchise arrangement.  With further plans to expand their operation in the south of Spain and the Canary Islands.

Ths strategy has been fuelled by dwindling domestic returns – forcing the retailer to focus on new markets where they believe they will find sizeable and potentially brand loyal ex pat communities.