Expats will no longer have to rely on a physical M&S outlet for the brand's produce. Alamy
Expats will no longer have to rely on a physical M&S outlet for the brand's produce. Alamy
Expats will no longer have to rely on a physical M&S outlet for the brand's produce. Alamy
Expats will no longer have to rely on a physical M&S outlet for the brand's produce. Alamy

M&S makes more than 800 food products available to expats


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British retailer M&S has placed many of its food products on the worldwide export platform British Corner Shop, a move the partnership believes will give expat and non-expat customers opportunities to enjoy a slice of home favourites.

Customers in 150 countries can now buy and receive within three days, more than 800 different M&S staples, from Eccles Cakes to Luxury Gold Teabags.

The launch is part of the brand's ambition to accelerate international growth through online channels, a strategy formulated to mitigate against years of declining sales in its clothing ranges, now amplified by the coronavirus pandemic.

M&S recently expanded its flagship websites into more than 100 markets, and committed to more than doubling online retail sales by working with partners around the globe.

“Our mission is to deliver efficient and low-cost ways to sell the best of M&S to the world, and by partnering with British Corner Shop we’re able to instantly offer the best of M&S food to millions more customers," said the company's managing director of international, Paul Friston.

British Corner Shop managing director Mark Callaghan was equally effusive about the partnership, calling it the "perfect fit".

“Our customers are not just British expats, but other nationals who appreciate the quality assurance they get from buying British-made products," he said.

"So not only will our expat customers be overjoyed they can now reunite with their most missed M&S foods, but our non-expat customers will no doubt rejoice as well.”

Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills

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What the law says

Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.

“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.

“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”

If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.

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Transmission: eight-speed auto

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On sale: now 

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What can victims do?

Always use only regulated platforms

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Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)

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Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence

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Seats open:

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  • One for Latin America and Caribbean Group
  • One for Eastern Europe Group

Countries so far running: 

  • UAE
  • Albania 
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Fight card

1. Featherweight 66kg: Ben Lucas (AUS) v Ibrahim Kendil (EGY)

2. Lightweight 70kg: Mohammed Kareem Aljnan (SYR) v Alphonse Besala (CMR)

3. Welterweight 77kg:Marcos Costa (BRA) v Abdelhakim Wahid (MAR)

4. Lightweight 70kg: Omar Ramadan (EGY) v Abdimitalipov Atabek (KGZ)

5. Featherweight 66kg: Ahmed Al Darmaki (UAE) v Kagimu Kigga (UGA)

6. Catchweight 85kg: Ibrahim El Sawi (EGY) v Iuri Fraga (BRA)

7. Featherweight 66kg: Yousef Al Husani (UAE) v Mohamed Allam (EGY)

8. Catchweight 73kg: Mostafa Radi (PAL) v Ahmed Abdelraouf of Egypt (EGY)

9.  Featherweight 66kg: Jaures Dea (CMR) v Andre Pinheiro (BRA)

10. Catchweight 90kg: Tarek Suleiman (SYR) v Juscelino Ferreira (BRA)

Updated: August 19, 2021, 9:51 AM`