Marks & Spencer to speed up Non-U.K. expansion plans and online retail

Fighting off two years of declining sales in its home market of UK, Marks & Spencer Group Plc, the clothing retailer has announced plans for opening more international stores and an enlarged online retail plan. M&S may seek to double its non-British growth rate, but are wary of getting too aggressive during the downturn. Terming India’s retail market as grossly under-penetrated, M&S sees more opportunities in emerging markets such as India and China. Plans are also underway to include developments in international markets, and integrating its web site with the store network, speeding up change and operations and 're- focusing' the brand. Marks aims for the international unit to represent 15 to 20 percent of sales by 2011, up from about 10 percent now, and is planning to open 50 stores in Europe, Middle East and India this fiscal year.