Brits abroad

By Jason Moore SOME of Spain's leading retailers are now household names on British high streets. Even though the British retail sector is said to be one of the most competitive in the world they have found a place for themselves and continue to go from strength to strength. What escapes me, though, is why some of Britain leading retailers have never been successful when they have attempted to move into Spain. Marks & Spencers were forced to close down their outlets across Spain and there have been other casualities along the way. I always found it rather strange that Marks & Spencers never opened a branch in Palma. I would have thought that it would have been an ideal place. Not just for the local population but for visiting holidaymakers as well. I always thought it was an opportunity missed. I would also agree that there was probably a need for one of the big British supermarkets to open in Majorca as well. I sometimes get the impression that corporate Britain appears to be far more at home in the United States than it does in Europe. Many of Britain's leading companies are well established in the U.S. but have little presence in mainland Europe. With an estimated 500'000 Britons now living in Spain and with about 20 million Britons visiting Spain each year on holiday, surely it is time for British companies to start looking south to cater for this growing market?