Marks & Spencer to stay in PH with new franchise partner
After the SSI Group announced the ceasing of operations of Marks & Spencer in the Philippines on May 2, a spokesperson from the British brand clarified it would be staying in the country, just with a different franchise partner.
"Our objective is to build a trusted global brand by bringing the best of M&S to customers around the world. We remain committed to the Philippines and the growth opportunity in the region," the spokesperson said in a statement sent to PhilSTAR L!fe.
They added that they would be transitioning from their long-time partnership with SSI to a new affiliate by May 2026.
"After over 20 years of partnership with the SSI Group, we have made the decision to transition to a new franchise partner to support our ambitious growth plans in the region. Our contract with SSI will end in May 2026, we thank them for their partnership," they continued.
On Feb. 25, SSI management released a statement sharing SSI Group's rewarding relationship with Marks & Spencer.
"This has not been an easy decision. Building Marks & Spencer in the Philippines has been a meaningful and rewarding chapter for our organization. We are deeply grateful to our loyal customers, dedicated employees, and partners who have supported the brand through the decades," the management said.
They further explained that retail undergoes constant transformation, where change is inevitable.
"We remain committed to the constant strengthening of our portfolio and delivering experiences that resonate with today's consumers," SSI Group added.
The retail company's statement marked May 2 as the last day of operations of the 19 Marks & Spencer stores in the country. With this new announcement from Marks & Spencer itself, it looks like Filipinos can enjoy the brand for more years to come.
