M&S and Sports Direct Expand Overseas

M&S grows food in UAE

Marks & Spencer will open five new large-format Foodhalls in the UAE over the next 12 months with its long-term partner Al-Futtaim.

The move marks the first time M&S has offered its full food range outside the UK. The retailer said the format can be expanded further, which could lead to more stores as its international business grows.

The first Foodhall will open at Dubai Festival City in December. Al-Futtaim has operated an M&S fashion store at the location since 2018, attracting more than 420,000 customers each year. At 15,327 square feet, the new site will be the largest M&S Foodhall outside the UK.

Customers will be able to buy more than 3,500 M&S products as well as 500 locally sourced lines. Products from more than 200 UK suppliers will sit alongside goods from local businesses including Let’s Eat and Domus.

The store will also be the first M&S location outside the UK to sell M&S flowers. New hospitality features, including a Fruit Butcher, will be introduced as part of the format.

M&S said its fashion business has performed strongly across the region and it now sees an opportunity to grow its food offer. Company research found that 55% of people in the UAE are aware of the M&S food brand.

Looking ahead, M&S said the new Foodhalls build on the success of its fashion business in the Middle East. It believes bringing a wider food range together in one place should encourage customers to shop more often.

Sports Direct enters Africa

Sports Direct has opened its first stores in Africa with two sites in Nairobi, Kenya.

One store at Sarit Centre covers 930 square metres, while the second at Galleria Mall covers 725 square metres.

The stores sell major sports brands including Nike, Adidas, Under Armour, PUMA, New Balance and ASICS. They also stock Frasers Group-owned brands such as Everlast, Slazenger, Karrimor, Jack Wills and USA Pro.

Each location includes dedicated running, football and outdoor areas. These combine specialist product ranges with expert advice and digital tools.

Sports Direct opened the stores with regional partner Hudson Group, which recently launched Nike’s first flagship store in East Africa.

Hudson Group said the openings are an important step for both businesses. It believes the stores give shoppers in Kenya access to a large-format sports retail offer that combines leading global brands with more affordable products.

What RHR thinks

We believe these two announcements show UK retailers expanding internationally in a careful and measured way. M&S and Frasers Group are both working with experienced local partners rather than entering new markets alone. This reduces risk and provides quicker access to good locations and local customer knowledge. We also see both retailers backing larger store formats. M&S is investing in destination Foodhalls, while Sports Direct is opening large sports stores. Both are using scale to help their brands stand out. The M&S approach is especially notable because it builds food growth on the success of fashion and combines UK products with local ranges. We expect more UK retailers to follow a similar model.

What this means for hiring. M&S's new UAE Foodhalls are likely to create store, food, hospitality and management roles as the business expands its food offer. Sports Direct's large-format stores will need retail managers, sales assistants and specialist sports staff. Growth through new stores and international partnerships can also support head office and international business roles.