Marks & Spencer (M&S), the iconic British retailer, celebrated the official opening of its brand new store at the Beirut City Centre shopping mall – its first store in the Lebanese market. What we care about on this blog, NGNO, is obviously their renowned Food section, which I really look forward to visiting while I am abroad. Unfortunately, they have not opened a food section in this particular branch, but they have plans to do so in the near future while opening their next branch. When and where, they wont tell us now!
Located in the heart of Hazmieh, the Beirut City Centre shopping mall is the city’s latest shopping destination and is now home to M&S’s new almost 1,800 square metre store. Today for the first time Lebanese customers were able to shop the retailer’s extensive range of exceptional quality, stylish fashions across womenswear, menswear, kidswear and lingerie – as well as accessories, footwear, sleepwear and beauty products. The new store, operated by M&S’s long term franchise partner Al Futtaim Group, is in line with the retailer’s international strategy to build a strong presence in the Middle East, as one of its priority international markets. To mark the important milestone, Mr. Paul Khawaja, Commercial Attaché at the British Embassy, joined Mr. John Cooper, Managing Director of Marks & Spencer Al Futtaim, to officially open the store with a traditional ribbon cutting ceremony.
The store features M&S’s latest in-store format which provides shoppers with an inviting and inspiring shopping environment. 31 local jobs have been created at the store, with all Lebanese employees fully trained to offer customers the highest level of customer service. Mr. Paul Khawaja, Commercial Attaché at the British Embassy, commented at the event: “We are delighted to celebrate the long-awaited launch of this iconic British brand in Lebanon. Having a flagship brand like M&S in Beirut is great news, for Lebanon and for Britain. British companies are at the heart of Beirut’s retail boom, generating confidence here and jobs in the UK”. From his side, Mr. John Cooper, Managing Director of Marks & Spencer Al Futtaim said: “We’re delighted to be entering the Lebanese market for the first time, as we bring the iconic British brand, Marks & Spencer to shoppers in Beirut. Al Futtaim Group is focussed on ensuring we offer customers quality fashion and the best shopping experience. We are looking forward to building our M&S business and offering the Lebanese men, women and kids innovative fashion lines that live up to their expectations”
With a wide range of offering, M&S aims to be the lifestyle complement choice of the Lebanese people.
