Marks & Spencer names Michel Koch as head of international multichannel trading

By

Matthieu Guinebault

Published
Apr 15, 2013

The British retailer has chosen Frenchman Michel Koch as head of international multichannel trading, whose mission it is to lead international sales and implement a retail strategy that enhances customer experience across the company’s different markets.

Koch started his career at Sony Music as ‘New Media Manager’ in the early nineties where he introduced the company to the internet, before going on to work for France Loisirs, Quelle France and Conrad Electronics. Prior to being appointed at Marks & Spencer, Koch was at French clothing brand Camaïeu.

“Mark & Spencer’s did not want someone English to take the role but rather someone who had a vision for the company outside of the United Kingdom,” explained Michel Koch, who said that other Europeans had been considered for the role. “Apart from my relevant experience in the domain, they were also looking for someone that had a good understanding of the French markets, one of the main countries of focus for the company outside of the UK.”

Marks & Spencer has 703 points of sales in the UK and some 400 addresses internationally. In France, the company opened its flagship store on the Champs-Elysées last year after an 11 year absence. In addition to the two existing Marks & Spencer stores in France, the British company is planning another three French additions in the near future.