Marks & Spencer is to launch 46 new websites in overseas markets from Iceland to Uzbekistan, as part of moves to grow its online business. It expands the retailer's online reach to more than 100 countries, offering M&S clothing and homeware. The firm said the expansion would enable it to capitalise on growth without considerable upfront costs. Last year, M&S posted its first loss in its 94 years as a publicly-listed company as coronavirus hit store sales.Online e-commerce sales were up 75% according to its latest interim results, as overall losses across the business reached £87.6m in the six months to 26 September. M&S is in the midst of a wide-reaching transformation programme which last year saw 7,000 job cuts across stores and management. Using an "adaptable" website platform designed for international sales, orders are fulfilled through M&S' distribution network. M&S' international online channels have been translated into 10 more languages and additional currencies. They will also start selling clothes from 11 rival brands on its website this spring in a bid to boost its online sales. Marks said the move to sell items from Hobbs, Joules, Phase Eight and White Stuff from March was part of its ongoing "transformation programme".
