British Retail Giant Marks & Spencer Expands Down Under
In a significant international move, British high street stalwart Marks & Spencer is launching its renowned food hall favourites in Australia for the very first time. The beloved Percy Pigs and Colin the Caterpillar are among the iconic products making the 11,000-mile journey to Aussie shores.
A Sweet Partnership with Coles Supermarkets
This exciting expansion is made possible through a new partnership with Coles, one of Australia's leading supermarket chains. Starting from Wednesday, November 19, a selection of M&S Food items will be available in Coles stores nationwide. This strategic move follows the remarkable success of M&S Food in the United States, where an impressive 50,000 bags of Percy Pigs are sold each week.
The initial launch will feature classics such as M&S British Shortbread and M&S Luxury Gold Tea. Customers in Melbourne and Sydney will also have access to an extended range through Coles’ online Customer Fulfilment Centres (CFCs). The retailer has ambitious plans to scale up the offering, with the intention of stocking over 200 M&S products from next year.
Strategic Global Growth for M&S Food
Mark Lemming, Managing Director of International at M&S, highlighted the strategic importance of this expansion. He stated that the consistent growth of their UK food business and their position as the UK's most trusted retailer presents a significant global opportunity. He described wholesale as a relatively new but promising channel for scaling the business internationally.
Anna Croft, Chief Commercial Officer at Coles, expressed equal excitement about the partnership. She emphasised that the collaboration is centred on delivering quality, innovation, and trusted value to Australian customers, allowing them to enjoy the best of British food at home. The timing is perfect for the festive season, offering new and delicious options for holiday gifting and celebrations.
This food launch builds upon the existing presence of M&S Fashion in Australia, which became available in David Jones department stores earlier this year, signalling a comprehensive brand push into the Australian market.
