Taipei - UK leading garment retailer Marks & Spencer Group Plc has decided to pull out of the Taiwan market to focus on expanding its business in Europe and India, the company said in a statement on Tuesday.

"Marks & Spencer and its (local) partner President Chain Store Corporation have decided to close their three Marks & Spencer stores in Taiwan, following their trial run" on the island, it said in a statement released through its Taiwan public-relations agency Ketchum-Newscan.

The UK group said the move would allow both companies to focus on their future growth strategies as Marks & Spencer, which has 275 stores across 38 territories, has planned to expand its trade in Greece, Central and Eastern Europe and India.

Its local retailing partner, President Chain, is also expected to expand its business, including 7-11 convenience stores, Starbucks, Cold Stone and Afternoon Tea across both Taiwan and China, according to the statement.

It said once stocks have been cleared, the three Marks and Spencer stores will be closed. A source from President Chain Store said the three stores would be officially closed around August.

Mark & Spencer opened the first store in Kaohsiung, southern Taiwan, in May 2007. (dpa)