On Panic Buying Advent Calendars: M&S Staff Unsure of Beijing Store Closure, Clothes on 11.11 Sale

Following reports that popular British chain Marks & Spencer was to close stores globally, including their 10 China stores and our Beijing store less than a year after opening its flagship store in The Place, we rushed over to investigate ourselves and panic-buy Christmas items. Mostly just advent calendars.

We asked two members of staff on the floor (one in the food section and one in the clothing section), both of whom claimed they did not know whether the store would really be closing. However, we know that closure is inevitable at this point, with timing unknown. Emma Jonhson from Marks & Spencer PR said a date has not ben fixed but said it will take "a number of months for all ten stores [in China] to close."

But just in case, we went on a Christmas prowl. Seasonal items available include Christmas cards, wrapping paper, Christmas food items such as chocolates and Christmas pudding, and advent calendars galore (as seen in the images above and below). Advent calendars are priced at RMB 49-59, while chocolate coins and other Christmas confectionery costs upwards of RMB 25.

And the clothing section of the store stock is definitely not dwindling yet. In fact, M&S continues to take part in the nationwide Singles' Day shopping madness, putting a 30 percent discount on all wearables. This makes it worth a visit if you've not yet completely spruced up your winter wardrobe for this season, or if you're wanting to get some last M&S items in just in case they do announce their store's closure imminently.

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Email: margauxschreurs@truerun.com
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Photos: Michael Wester, Margaux Schreurs