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Marks & Spencer pulls out of Russia after 17 years Marks & Spencer pulls out of Russia after 17 years
(32 minutes later)
Marks & Spencer says it will fully exit the Russian market following the invasion of Ukraine.Marks & Spencer says it will fully exit the Russian market following the invasion of Ukraine.
The retail giant stopped shipments to Russia in March but previously said complex franchise deals prevented it from withdrawing completely, with about 50 shops still open.The retail giant stopped shipments to Russia in March but previously said complex franchise deals prevented it from withdrawing completely, with about 50 shops still open.
But the firm said after negotiations it would fully exit its Russian franchise.But the firm said after negotiations it would fully exit its Russian franchise.
It came as M&S reported pre-tax profits of £392m for the year to 2 April - up from a loss of £209m the previous year.It came as M&S reported pre-tax profits of £392m for the year to 2 April - up from a loss of £209m the previous year.
However, M&S said it expected sales growth to slow due to rising costs and increased pressure on customer budgets.However, M&S said it expected sales growth to slow due to rising costs and increased pressure on customer budgets.
The company said it was facing increased food costs, driven by global supply issues and labour shortages, while factory, transport and freight costs, as well as continued supply issues in China, were putting pressure on its clothing and home business.The company said it was facing increased food costs, driven by global supply issues and labour shortages, while factory, transport and freight costs, as well as continued supply issues in China, were putting pressure on its clothing and home business.
Household budgets are being squeezed by rising food, energy and fuel bills, with inflation, the rate at which prices rise, hitting 9% in April - the highest level for 40 years.Household budgets are being squeezed by rising food, energy and fuel bills, with inflation, the rate at which prices rise, hitting 9% in April - the highest level for 40 years.
M&S warns online sales tax will damage High StreetM&S warns online sales tax will damage High Street
The Western brands unable to leave RussiaThe Western brands unable to leave Russia
M&S, which was criticised for not pulling out of Russia at the start of the war, said it would face a £31m hit from its exit.M&S, which was criticised for not pulling out of Russia at the start of the war, said it would face a £31m hit from its exit.
The retailer opened its first store in Russia in 2005. Its Russian arm is run by Turkish company FiBA, which operates 48 shops under the M&S banner in the country with 1,200 employees.The retailer opened its first store in Russia in 2005. Its Russian arm is run by Turkish company FiBA, which operates 48 shops under the M&S banner in the country with 1,200 employees.
Hundreds of international brands including Starbucks, Coca Cola, Levi's and Apple have left Russia since the invasion of Ukraine in February.Hundreds of international brands including Starbucks, Coca Cola, Levi's and Apple have left Russia since the invasion of Ukraine in February.
Earlier this month fast food giant McDonald's announced it was withdrawing from the country after more than 30 years and was selling its restaurants to a local buyer.Earlier this month fast food giant McDonald's announced it was withdrawing from the country after more than 30 years and was selling its restaurants to a local buyer.
Inflation warningInflation warning
M&S, which is turning its business around after several years of decline, posted revenue of £10.8bn in the 12 months to April - up almost 7% on pre-pandemic levels in 2019/20.M&S, which is turning its business around after several years of decline, posted revenue of £10.8bn in the 12 months to April - up almost 7% on pre-pandemic levels in 2019/20.
It said it had seen strong performance in its clothing and home operation, driven by a 55.6% surge in online sales, although in-store sales fell by 11%.It said it had seen strong performance in its clothing and home operation, driven by a 55.6% surge in online sales, although in-store sales fell by 11%.
Meanwhile, its grocery sales were up by 10.1%.Meanwhile, its grocery sales were up by 10.1%.
It said the business has had "an encouraging start to the year" but warned that rising inflation would hold profits back in 2022/23.It said the business has had "an encouraging start to the year" but warned that rising inflation would hold profits back in 2022/23.
Julie Palmer, a retail expert at Begbies Traynor, said the typical M&S customer tended to be wealthier and less hard hit by rising costs "but they could still choose to economise" .Julie Palmer, a retail expert at Begbies Traynor, said the typical M&S customer tended to be wealthier and less hard hit by rising costs "but they could still choose to economise" .
"How long cash-strapped shoppers will feel comfortable splashing out on M&S's upmarket foods remains to be seen," she added."How long cash-strapped shoppers will feel comfortable splashing out on M&S's upmarket foods remains to be seen," she added.
Chief executive Steve Rowe is handing over leadership of the retailer to Stuart Machin and Katie Bickerstaffe after running the company's turnaround for the past six years.Chief executive Steve Rowe is handing over leadership of the retailer to Stuart Machin and Katie Bickerstaffe after running the company's turnaround for the past six years.
The cost-cutting programme saw the closure of a number of M&S's clothing and homeware shops, with others converted into food stores, after disappointing fashion sales.The cost-cutting programme saw the closure of a number of M&S's clothing and homeware shops, with others converted into food stores, after disappointing fashion sales.
In 2020 the company also announced thousands of jobs cuts after the business was hit by Covid lockdowns.
The chain said the shift towards online shopping and away from High Street and city centre stores had "increased the imperative" to reduce its clothing and home trading space.The chain said the shift towards online shopping and away from High Street and city centre stores had "increased the imperative" to reduce its clothing and home trading space.
It said it was now relocating some shops from town centres and older multi-floor buildings with poor access and parking.It said it was now relocating some shops from town centres and older multi-floor buildings with poor access and parking.
"As a result, a high proportion, but not all, of our relocations are to the edge of town," the company said."As a result, a high proportion, but not all, of our relocations are to the edge of town," the company said.