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Manila Bulletin devider Business devider The Stock Market devider M&S confirms official return to Philippines later this year

M&S confirms official return to Philippines later this year

Published Jun 8, 2026 07:34 pm
Marks & Spencer Group has signed a new franchise agreement in the Philippines with PT Mitra Adiperkasa Tbk, shifting its retail operations to the Indonesian lifestyle giant as part of a broader corporate strategy to streamline its international partnerships.
In a statement on Monday, June 8, the UK-based retailer said it plans to reintroduce its fashion, home, beauty, and food lines to Filipino consumers by the end of 2026.
The expansion builds on a 26-year relationship between the two companies, with MAP already managing M&S operations in Indonesia and Vietnam. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
The move marked a significant pivot for M&S, which has maintained a retail presence in the Philippines since 1984. Earlier this year, the company confirmed it would transition away from its previous partner, the Stores Specialists Inc. (SSI), to accelerate growth in Southeast Asia through a more capital-light model.
By partnering with a single, large-scale operator like MAP, M&S aims to leverage established regional infrastructure to scale its operations more efficiently.
The first physical store under the new management is scheduled to open later this year at the Glorietta mall in Makati City.
For MAP's fashion division, the agreement expands its footprint into one of the fastest-growing consumer markets in Southeast Asia. The Jakarta-listed retailer has been aggressively expanding its portfolio of global brands across the region to capture rising middle-class discretionary spending.
“Having played a pivotal role in driving our growth in Indonesia, MAP’s deep local expertise gives us confidence as we accelerate our growth plans in Southeast Asia,” Mark Lemming, Managing Director of M&S International, said.
Sameer Prasad, Chief Executive Officer of MAP Fashion, said the takeover marks an important milestone for the company's regional ambitions, citing Manila as an ideal launchpad for the brand's next chapter.
The companies confirmed that both physical brick-and-mortar stores and digital e-commerce channels are scheduled to resume operations concurrently before the end of the year.

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