M&S launches on-line shopping

MARKS & SPENCER, the high street retailer, will today launch its first foray into on-line shopping. Customers will be able to select from an initial range of about 200 items and pay for them on-line. Deliveries, which will be free this month, will be made to UK addresses within three days of orders being placed, the company said.

"Today's launch is major milestone towards achieving our strategic objectives," Peter Robinson, head of e-commerce, said. Up to 3,000 items will be made available from next year. The company did not disclose its investment in the service, which can be accessed through www.marks-and-spencer.co.uk.