Marks & Spencer shuts Paris store but denies Brexit link

Marks & Spencer has closed one of its central Paris food stores – but strongly denies it is linked to problems with supplies shops have suffered since full Brexit in January.

The closure of the Chaussée d’Antin Food store, near to the Palais Garnier opera house in the 9th arrondissement, leaves the firm with 18 outlets in Paris and one in Lille.

However a spokesman for the company said: “The decision to close the store was taken last year between the landlord and our partner SFH. So nothing to do with Brexit or shortages seen recently.”

SFH Invest, a company from Nanterre, has a franchise deal with M&S to run some of its French food outlets. Customers for M&S clothing in France order via the firm’s French-language website. The M&S spokesman said there are currently “no issues with clothing orders online – the challenges are related to fresh food supply”.

The firm is especially affected by additional paperwork and the complexity of new systems and processes linked to full Brexit, as all its food is own-brand products, shipped from the UK to France.

After reader Rosie Collyer sent in photos of empty shelves at the Châtelet store, M&S confirmed to The Connexion that it has suffered a lack of stock at all its stores since January 1, with the main impact on fresh foods, such as meat and vegetables.

“We are working with our partners, suppliers, government agencies and local authorities to quickly improve this,” the spokesman said.

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