In addition to strengthening its global leadership team with three new senior hires, British retailer Marks & Spencer said that it has reset its international business.
Manish Kapoor will become the next managing director of M&S India, having previously worked for Pepe Jeans. Richard Davies has been elevated to director of international partnerships, while Victoria Jones, who was previously with Clarks, will take over as commercial director, international.
In April, Kapoor will become a member of the leadership team at M&S International. Davies and Jones have already been posted. Mark Lemming, managing director, International, who was appointed last year when M&S announced a reorganisation of its International business priorities under new leadership, will be the person to whom all three would report.
The most recent position Kapoor had was managing director and CEO, India, at Pepe Jeans. Before that, he served as chief operating officer at French Connection in India from 2012 to 2014, when he changed the company’s approach and made it a successful menswear brand. He increased the brand’s presence in South and Southeast Asia and grew the India business during his time at Benetton, which began in 2005. In addition, he started Benetton’s Indian e-commerce segment and was instrumental in Sisley’s expansion there. It will be Kapoor’s responsibility to advance the strategic plans in India at M&S.
M&S has been working to attract younger customers throughout the world and has revealed plans to renovate its stores in order to increase its physical presence and concentrate on high-quality goods. In contrast to fast-fashion competitors known for designs that swiftly transition from the runway to the showroom, brands like Levi’s, Uniqlo, and Celio are becoming more and more well-known for their practical basics, such as T-shirts and jeans.
With over 100 stores created in the last 15 years, India is already its largest overseas market outside of the country. In FY ’24, M&S Reliance’s revenues increased by 5 per cent to US $ 200 million (Rs 1742 crore).
