Chain executive: We're negotiating with several Israeli companies. The stores may be independent or part of the partner's stores.
British retail chain Marks & Spencer, which stopped operating in Israel a year ago, plans to open new stores in Israel in several months. The company is in advanced negotiations with a new Israeli partner to help it penetrate the Israeli market.
The chain's overseas clothing division manager said, "We don't yet have a date, but we're in advanced negotiations with partners in Israel for the opening of stores in 2-3 months. We didn't close the stores because of the Israeli market, as it is important to us to operate in Israel. The closure was related to mutual dissatisfaction on the part of our partner at the time, Hamashbir Letzarhan, and ourselves, with the business ties between us.
"On opening the stores in Israel, it is immaterial to us whether they are inside our partners' stores, or independent shops. However, we'll want the space to be no more than 1,000-1,500 sq.m. There's also a possibility for smaller or specialized stores, like the ones we have with partners in Greece, which specialize in underwear. "
Published by Israel's Business Arena on November 3, 1999