Is M&S taking the first step to open shop in Australia?

Marks & Spencer has launched new websites in Australia and New Zealand in its latest bid to push into overseas markets, reported The Guardian.
Australian consumers are already some of the British retailer’s biggest online customers, buying via the retailer’s UK website which delivers to more than 30 countries worldwide.
The new dedicated sites for Australia and New Zealand feature local currency and sizing and have tailored editorial content highlighting items relevant to the local seasons.
“Australia is firmly established as one of our top performing international delivery markets and our new localised website presents a key growth opportunity for our international online business,” said David Walmsley, Director of M&S.com.
The website launch in Australia will be supported with an ad campaign using the tagline “British style for Australian life”.
There has been longstanding speculation that M&S, which is Britain’s biggest clothing retailer, is planning to open a high street store in Australia, although a spokesperson for the high street giant said “While we always look at new opportunities, we have no current plans to open stores in Australia.”
Australia is being viewed as a strong economy with large fashion chains from Zara to H&M flooding there over recent years. For retailers looking to go international beyond Europe and the US, Australia is opportune.