Marks & Spencer is reported to be planning to open 25 new stores in Ireland over the next three years.
Jim McNicholas, regional manager, said this was likely to involve around 12 large stores and 13 Simply Food stores.
The expansion is part of M&S’ plan to increase its share of the Irish grocery market to 10 per cent.
He told local press the company’s decision to open in the Whitewater shopping centre in Newbridge, Co Kildare, last week was part of that expansion strategy.
‘‘We are now looking for market penetration,” he said. ‘‘In Newbridge we have a substantial clothing offer in addition to food and general merchandise and we are the only one in the shopping centre to do that and it produces a more favourable position for us.”
