Marks and Spencer is considering setting up shop in Moscow despite abandoning plans to enter the volatile market just two years ago. A spokesman confirmed two executives had been dispatched to the Russian capital in September on an "exploratory mission" to look at the retail market. But a decision on whether to go ahead was "at least six months down the line". "In any event, we'd go in through a franchise partner," he said. As the exchange rate has stabilised and retail sales are growing at 8%, Moscow is an attractive proposition, he added. A number of major European players are eyeing up the city after making progress in underdeveloped markets in central and eastern Europe. However, some critics suggest the troubled retailer ought to concentrate on winning back customers at home before venturing into new markets. {{NEWS }}

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