M&S Food has announced its expansion to stores in Australia through a partnership with Coles supermarkets, which will offer a selection of the UK retailer’s bestselling food products.

The move is part of a strategy to grow into an international omnichannel business and partner with global markets to drive online growth and secure wholesale opportunities.

Mark Lemming, managing director of international at M&S, said: “With consistent growth in food in the UK business and strong brand momentum as the UK’s most trusted retailer, there is now so much opportunity for us to grow our business globally. Wholesale is a relatively new channel for us, but one that provides lots of opportunity to scale, sell and serve our food business to even more customers around the world.

“Having taken our first steps in Australia earlier this year in fashion, we’re delighted to partner with one of Australia’s leading supermarkets, Coles, a partner that shares our values of quality food at a trusted value. When we get the partnership right, everyone wins.”

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M&S Food launched in Australia after a successful food wholesale partnership at Target in the US, where the supermarket sells over 50,000 bags of Percy Pigs per week.

Starting on Wednesday, Coles supermarket will stock M&S food products, including Percy Pig and Colin the Caterpillar confectionery, as well as an extended range for customers shopping online.

The retailer plans to grow the range to over 200 products next year from the British retailer’s selection of products.

Anna Croft, chief commercial officer at Coles, said: “We’re excited to join forces with Marks & Spencer to bring their quality food range to Australia, allowing millions of Aussies to savour the very best of British right here at home.”