France

Marks & Spencer, the British clothing and upmarket food store, will return to the French capital later this year with a store on the Champs-Elysées, a decade after its retreat from continental Europe drew howls of protests from customers and staff.

Marks & Spencer, the British clothes and upmarket food store, will return to the French capital later this year, a decade after its decision to pull out of continental Europe drew howls of protests from customers and staff.

Despite the financial crisis, retailers expect high sale figures as the annual summer sales kicked off Wednesday across France. Sweltering weather, buoyant exchange rates and the Internet account for the latest optimism.