M&S opens electrical departments

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/business/5310194.stm

Version 0 of 1.

Marks & Spencer is to open electrical departments at 13 stores.

Starting with its Marble Arch branch in London later this month, the departments will sell everything from televisions to digital music players.

The retailer said the move was a response to a successful year-long trial that had seen a limited range of electrical goods on sale at 58 stores.

Its announcement comes days after Tesco said it was to expand the range of electrical goods at its supermarkets.

Tough electrical sector

A Marks & Spencer (M&S) spokeswoman said other branches that would soon gain full electrical departments would be its Manchester, Gateshead Metro, Newcastle and Camberley stores.

She added that other branches could then follow the first 13.

M&S is also expanding the number of stores that sell a limited range of electrical goods from 58 to 85.

The firm's expansion into the sale of electrical goods will likely increase already tough competition in the sector on the UK High Street.

M&S said its electrical departments will not sell "white goods" such as fridges, washing machines or cookers.