A report in the UK press suggest upmarket UK-based retailer Marks & Spencer could be looking to establish stores in the Netherlands as part of an ongoing plan to expand into Europe.
According to the Independent newspaper, the property team at M&S has been assessing cities including Rotterdam and The Hague as potentialsites for new store openings.
However, the retailer was not prepared to comment on the speculation.
Any move by Marks & Spencer into the Dutch market could be complicated by the existence of M&S Mode, a Netherlands-based fashion clothing retailer.
In April, the London-based retailer unveiled plans to open its first store in France since it left the country 10 years ago.
The group will open a 15,000ft2 outlet on the famous Champs Elysées in Paris towards the end of this year, selling a selection of food and women's clothing.
Marc Bolland, the group's chief executive who joined from rival supermarket operator Morrisons five years ago, himself hails from the Netherlands.
