M&S launches international delivery service

November 14 2008 from internetretailing.net

Online purchases from Marks & Spencer can now be delivered to addresses in France, Germany, Spain, the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand


Consumers in seven overseas territories can now shop online for Marks & Spencer clothes, lingerie and selected beauty and home accessories items, then have the items delivered to their home. And UK customers can also buy online — in time for Christmas — and have purchases sent to friends and family overseas.

"The move is an important step as part of Marks & Spencer's commitment to grow sales of M&S Direct to £500m by 2010/11," says the company. "It also underpins the business' continuing momentum overseas, as it expands in international markets."

Carl Leaver, the firm's director of international, home and direct, says: "Our decision to deliver internationally provides a significant opportunity for Marks & Spencer, not only to grow sales of our ecommerce business, but to further extend our brand globally."

"We're excited to be delivering something really special to consumers overseas and have deliberately selected markets where we currently don't have stores, but where we know through extensive feedback, that there is a demand for our goods," he added. "Our long-association with quality manufacturing and innovation, and our consistently fresh take on the latest fashion trends, give us confidence that Marks & Spencer will go down well in these markets."

Marks & Spencer says it will be the first major British retailer to deliver internationally to New Zealand, and one of only a few that ships to Australia and Canada. To arrive in time for Christmas, orders for Australia and New Zealand must be placed by December 4, for the United States and Canada by December 9, and for France, Germany and Spain by December 11.

Deliveries will cost £10 to France, Germany and Spain and £20 to the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Royal Mail and Parcel Force will manage the overseas deliveries.

"The launch of international delivery follows a series of new additions to the online business, including the launch of an online wine club, the introduction of 3,000 premium white goods online, development of a Business Solutions portal for corporate gifting, as well as a customer reviews and ratings system for many products," M&S concludes.

by Sarah Clark (Web Editor)

This article is tagged as: Royal Mail shipping delivery Parcel Force international Marks & Spencer Christmas